Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - December 1984
Ian Morgan
Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) Progress Report 1984
During 1984 a most determined effort was made to cover un-surveyed areas of Carmarthenshire in preparation for the book ‘West Wales Dragonflies' by S. Coker and A.D. Fox to be published, by the WWTNC formerly- (WWNT). Since the above book will cover Carmarthenshire dragonflies in detail only a brief summary will be given here.
Calopteryx virgo – widespread, but under-recorded.
Calopteryx splendens - good populations on the Tywi and its tributaries, the Gwendraeth each is a stronghold, with lesser numbers on the Gwendraeth Fawr and the Llwchwr (Loughor).
Lestes sponsa - widespread in small numbers but greater quantities in North of county.
Pyrrhosoma nymphula -- common and widespread.
Ischnura elegans - quite widespread, good numbers on coast, Tywi and Gwendraeth valleys etc.
Ischnura pumillo - very scarce, near Llandeilo and Pencader. (per S.C.)
Enallagma cyathigerum - Fairly widespread on ponds.
Coenagrion pulchellum - Found to West of Carmarthen at Ddole, Llanboidy (per S.C.) and possibly at Machynys and Bynea also.
Coenagrion puella - common and widespread at the coast and along main river valleys.
Ceriagrion tenellum - only found at Cors Llanllwch Nature Reserve not seen elsewhere in spite of searching.
Brachytron pratense - several new sites discovered along the coast Penbre – Llwynhendy. Another new locality was one of the oxbows on the Tywi at Dinefwr, Llandeilo.
Aeshna juncea - frequent in upland areas of North and East e.g. Rhandirmwyn, Mynydd Du, scattered elsewhere.
Aeshna cyanea - only a handful of records -- Bishops Pond Nature Reserve Abergwili (DP) and near Llandyfaelog.
Aeshna mixta - proved, to breed at the established 'Furnace Pond’ site, also found at the Machynys Ponds and the 'Ashpits Pond’, Burry Port. May well occur at Old Castle Pond and Bevan's Pond (Penbre).
Anax imperator - mostly coastal. (where quite frequent) and Tywi valley.
Cordulegaster boltonii - very widespread in small numbers, though c. 40 estimated on Sawdde Fechan (on North side of Mynydd Du), a productive stream rich in invertebrates and partly draining the limestone.
Libulella depressa & Libulella quadrimaculata - widespread and quite widespread.
Orthetrum coerulescens - restricted to wet bogs/flushes with base enrichment (three ph’s taken of sites were 5.9, 6.2 and 7.2). Apart from the known Cencoed-uchaf site more sites were recognized at Mynydd Du, Mynydd Bettws (in Glamorgan) and Rhandirmwyn.
Sympetrum striolatum - common and widespread in mid-late summer, at least in the South of the county.
Sympetrum sanguineum - none seen at Machynys where a single female was seen in 1983.
Sympetrum danae - mostly upland and under recorded seen in 1981 at Cwm Twrch and Llyn Llech Owen near Gorslas.
The season (aided by the fine weather) was successful in that a great deal of terrain was covered and many records made including some scarce species such as Brachytron pretence, Coenagrion pulchellum and Aeshna mixta. Hopes of finding
Sympetrum sanguineum at Machynys or Ceriagrion tenellum at additional sites did not materialize. Likewise, Orthetrum coerulescens and Sympetrum danae were found at less sites than expected.
Thanks are due to the observers who sent in records principally Stephen Coker, R.A.D. Hughes, Dr George Hutchinson, David Poulter, R.D. Pryce and several members of the Llanelli Naturalists.
I.K. Morgan, 17th September 1984.
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Bush-crickets and Crickets), in Carmarthenshire
Very little work has been done on the Orthoptera in Carmarthenshire and there are only very occasional references to the Order in the natural history literature of Wales. It was for that reason and the fact that shortly an 'Atlas of British Orthoptera' will be published that the identification and distribution of this group was examined in detail during 1984. The last year for recording for the National Atlas has been extended from 1984 to 1985 thereby allowing an extra season to examine those areas uncovered in 1984 and to build upon the data already collected.
A Systematic List
The 10 km squares where recorded are given as are the number, in brackets, of 1 km sq's.
1. Tettigonia viridissima (Great Green Bush-cricket) - recorded only once by myself at Burry Port during the hot summer of 1976, it is also shown by Ragge as occurring in Carmarthenshire. This is the largest British bush-cricket and it has a more or less continuous nocturnal song in late summer. It occurs on Gower (including Whiteford which is opposite Berry Port) and Pembrokeshire. Well worth looking for. SN40 (1).
2. Pholidoptera griseoaptera (Dark Bush-cricket) - common between Llanelli and Ferryside, and also on the cliffs near Llansteffan, Many hundreds to be heard (a penetrating repeated 'chirp') on Tywyn and Pembrey Burrows and the Lower Gwendraeth flood-plain hedgerows, Common also Burry Port – Pwll - Stradey - over 60 were heard one night between the latter locality and Furnace! Surprisingly, apparently not occurring in the Machynys - Llwynhendy area. An attractive (dark brown with yellow underside) cricket even found in gardens (in Stradey), each male occupies a distinct area - one male occupied an Euphorbia characias wulfonii bush, singing every night from at least mid-August to mid-September! Important to ascertain (in 1985) whether this species occurs in the Llangennech area, the Gwendraeth Fach and to confirm its presence in the South-west of the county. SN30, SN31, SN40, SN50 (46).
3. Metrioptera brahyptera (Bog Bush-cricket) - seems to be restricted to the
large, fine bog at Cora Llanllwch Nature Reserve to the West of Carmarthen, it was searched for, but not found elsewhere. Quite a confiding species and relatively easy to catch. Bright apple-green undersides, SN51 (1).
4. Conocephalus dorsalis (Short-winged Conehead) - found in Juncus dominated pasture and marshes near the coast, also Spartina and Scirpus maritimus zones of the upper saltmarsh, called a conehead because of its head shape when viewed side on. All green with a dark stripe down the back. When approached it hides behind the opposite side of the plant stem and has an extremely high-pitched song that is almost painful to listen to at close range, and which is difficult to hear when the wind is blowing. A few all brown specimens were seen amongst the high tide mark vegetation near St. Ishmaels holiday camp. Abundant at our Ffrwd reserve. SS49, SS59; SN30, SN31, SN40, SN50 (14).
5. Leptophyes punctatissima (Speckled Bush-cricket) - only sometimes seen, this
fat, engaging bush-cricket occupies bushes and thick vegetation. Probably quite widespread at least on the coast. Occurs at the Ffrwd Fen, Pembrey Forest and Stradey. It is all green, marked with minute brown specks. SN30, SN40 (3).
6. Tetrix ceperoi, 7. Tetrix subulata 8. Tetrix undulata (Groundhoppers) - Early in the season (late April onwards) is the best time to see these. All three species were recorded in 1984, the Tetrix ceperoi found at Tywyn Point and Laugharne Burrows being the most northerly British populations of that species (see Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter June 1984 for further details).
9. Omocestus rufipes (Woodland Grasshopper) - An old pre-1960 record exists for SN40 (presumably Pembrey Forest) but none were found in spite of many searches in 1984; the possibility exists that it was recorded here in error for this is its only Welsh site; on the other hand if it is re-found this would constitute an important find indeed. SN40 (1).
10. Omocestus viridulis (Common Green Grasshopper) - a common grasshopper, often in heathland or moorland - type habitat, indeed on the higher ground it is the only species present. SS59, SN10, SN30, SN33, SN40, SN42, SN43, SN50, SN51, SN52, SN60, SN61, SN63, SN64, SN71, SN74, SN82, SN83. (32).
11. Myrmeleotettix maculatus (Mottled Grasshopper) - a small, variably coloured attractive species with clubbed antennae that occurs on very dry grassland and mature dunes e .g. Tywyn Burrows. Also inland on dry limestone soils and dry slopes at Cwm Twrch. SS49, SS59; SN10, SN20, SN30, SN31, SN40, SN61, SN71 (15).
12. Chorthippus brunneus (Common Field Grasshopper) - this species also prefers dryish habitats e.g. sunny bank, roadsides, churchyards, etc. It is extremely variable in colour - from all sandy, with a reddish 'tail', or even mauve. Always though with a hairy base to the thorax ("chest") and other distinctive features. A good flier when escaping; very common. SS49, SS59; SN10, SN20, SN30, SN31, SN40, SN41, SN42, SN43, SN50, SN51, SN52, SN60, SN61, SN62, SN71, SN72, SN73. (59).
13. Chorthippus parallelus (Meadow Grasshopper) - often in dampish habitat, green in colour with minute hind-wings and often reduced fore-wings - therefore unable to fly. Very common. SS49, SS59; SN20, SN30, SN31, SN40, SN41, SN42, SN43, SN50, SN51, SN52, SN60, SN62, SN63, SN71, SN73, SN82. (57).
14. Acheta domesticus (House Cricket) - a true cricket with a fantastic trilling song. Recorded from Cydweli (e.g. the West end of the old town), Llangadog Creamery and an old record from New Zealand St., Llanelli. Probably at the recent rubbish dump at Llanllwch (West of Carmarthen) - where a song of a cricket heard this summer can only fit this species. SN40, SN50, SN62. (3).
Other species that could possibly occur in Carmarthenshire (as casual introductions - in the urban areas) would be the American and Australian Cockroaches Periplaneta americana and Periplaneta australasiae); both have been recorded in adjacent Glamorgan. The Tawny Cockroach (Ectobius pallidus) again recorded in Glamorgan - should be searched for in suitable, warm, sunny woodland and the Lesser Cockroach (Ectobius panzeri) has already been recorded in Carmarthenshire (Ragge 1967) ; the sand dunes of Pembrey, Tywyn and Laugharne Burrows would all provide likely habitats. The Grey Bush Cricket
Platycleis denticulata) seen by the author on the limestone cliffs of Oxwich Point in August 1984 could possibly occur on cliffs such as those at St. Ishmaels, Llansteffan or Amroth; this species likes warm south-facing maritime cliffs, and it was re-found in Pembrokeshire in 1984, (J. Comont) making it a likely contender for our cliff edged West coast. The Oak Bush Cricket (Meconema thalassinum) must surely occur in many places but because of its nocturnal habits and lack of audible song it is rarely recorded; indeed I have no records for Carmarthenshire. A rare species that might occur on our fine estuaries (e.g. Tywi or Gwendraeth), is Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii); it's stronghold are saltmarshes/grassland in South-east England but it has been seen at the Dyfi in mid-Wales, making it worth searching for.
There is but one record of a locust in the county, that recorded by R. Browne on Pembrey Burrows on 1/9/1859; Barker in his 'Handbook to the Natural History of Carmarthenshire’ states that it was "probably Pachytylus migratorius” Ragge, one of the foremost experts on the Orthoptera, states that two species rarely reach Britain, the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria) - presumably the selfsame species suggested by Barker, but with the scientific name changed, which originates from the vicinity of the Danube Delta and mostly occurs on the East coast of Britain, and the Desert Locust,(Schistocerca gregaria) which reaches "especially South-west England and Southern Ireland , in late summer and autumn" (Ragge). The circumstantial evidence - therefore, points to the Desert Locust and not the Migratory Locust as Barker suggests; but in the absence of a specimen one cannot be sure (Barker did not actually see the specimen either), - perhaps the specimen exists in a museum collection somewhere?
Now exceedingly rare, the Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa), is limited to a handful of sites in Britain, with the most northerly record being of a singleton near Sheffield (Haes 1983). Yet an article in 'The Field' of 15 April 1905 mentions that it "occupied marshes near Kidwelly in the year 1905 or there¬abouts" (Davies 1970). Its song is said to resemble that of the Nightjar and this gave rise to one of its local names "Eve churr" but stridulating males are now said to be extremely rare (Haes). As the name suggests it is well capable of burrowing. Obviously is worth looking for this race insect in the Lower Gwendraeth floodplain, specimens are said to be most easily located under turves and mounds of soil heaped up from recent ditch clearances (Ragge).
I K. Morgan, 20th September 1984.
Thanks are due to R.D. Pryce and Matthew Pryce for help in recording and to K.E. Nurton for much help in the field.
References
Brown, V.K. (1983), Grasshoppers, Cambridge University Press.
Ragge, D.P. (1965), Grasshoppers, Crickets and Cockroaches of the British Isles, Warne,
Ragge, D.R. (1973), The British Orthoptera: a Supplement.
Entomologist's Gazette 24, 227-45.
Haes, E.C.M. (1973), Crickets and Grasshoppers of the British Isles. British Naturalists Association.
Syrphidae (Hoverflies): First Year of Recording
As with the Orthoptera just dealt with, hardly any entomologist has dealt the Syrphidae in Carmarthenshire, so in 1984 a start was made on the hoverflies of our county, one point of difference between, he two groups is that whilst there is only a comparative handful of Orthoptera, species to be had in our area, a great variety of hoverfly species could be found by the critical dipterist (e.g. P.F. Entwhistle recorded at 1000-2200 ft at Hafren Forest, Llanidloes a third of the British fauna). 1984 was an exploratory year as regards my rather irregular and non-systematic recording; but familiarity was gained of many common or distinctive species and use of the excellent new guide; 'British Hoverflies' by A.E. Stubbs and Stephen Falk. Far less time was spent therefore on the Syrphidae than with the Odonata and Orthoptera, nevertheless a minimum of 25 species were definitely recorded and these included some 'good' records. It is intended to make the Syrphidae the 'target' group for recording in 1985.
The hoverflies occupy a great range of habitat and like other organisms particular species may be limited to certain narrowly-defined habitat types, whilst many common adaptable types are much more tolerant of habitat. Those species that visit our gardens belong to this latter category, though a garden that is adjacent to old woodland (as is mine) can expect visits from more strictly woodland species. Like the common bluebottles, hoverflies are included within the Diptera (i.e. possessing two wings), in addition they sometimes appear to mimic bees and wasps. Frequently a fearsome-looking wasp at a window pane is simply a harmless hoverfly, as their English name suggests they are excellent hoverers, often visiting garden flowers from the first sunny days of early spring through to the last sunny days of an 'Indian Summer'.
Two common species which resemble hive bees, the "Drone Flies" Eristalis pertinax and Eristalis tenax are regularly seen at snowdrops in March, also visiting spring-flowering heaths and other early flowers like Helleborus corsicus in gardens at the same time. Early in the season it is sunny, sheltered areas that will have hoverflies, not until late April/May (but this depends on the weather), that the hoverfly season really picks up.
A few weeks later, ponds and marshes will yield interesting species like the common but colourful (black and orange) Pyrophaena granditarsa, the distinctive snouted Rhyngia campestris, whilst Ffrwd Fen and another site in the Lower Gwen¬draeth has Tropida scita, a brightly-coloured fenland species, this comprising the 4th Welsh record. The ponds at Machynys at this time had species such as Anasimyi lineata and Parhelophilus frutetorum, the latter being described by Stubbs as 'very local', with the farthest North records in Lancashire. Over grassland nearly (and at Pembrey Forest), the beautiful black and yellow Xanthogramma pedissiquum could be seen, characteristically hovering very low over the ground.
A large wasp-like hoverfly caught in late May in Stradey Woods, proved to be Chrysotoxum cautum very much an insect of South and South-east England and with only two previous records in South Wales. Even-larger bumble-bee mimics recorded are Merodon equestris and Cheilosia illustrata (both Stradey Woods), Eristalis horticula Stradey Woods, Llansteffan, Upper Lliedi Reservoir etc,) and Eristalis intricarius (at Gors Llwyn in West Glamorgan). Other species recorded during this first rather casual year of recording are:- Syritta pipiens, Eristalis arbustorum, Episyrphus balteatus, Chrysotoxum festivum, Platycheirus albimanus, Neoascia podagria, Dasyrphus venustus, Epistrophe elegans, Sphaerophoria scripta, Eristalis nemorum and Helophilus pendulus.
This last list does not include some difficult or critical species sent away for determination, those missed by the net, seen when botanizing, bird watching or when without a net!
I.K. Morgan 21st September, 1984
References
Stubbs A.E. and Falk S.J. (1983) , British Hoverflies, British Entomological and Natural History Society, London.
Bertram Lloyd's Pembrokeshire Journals
Extract from original in the library of the Botany Department National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, and reproduced here with permission of the Keeper
27/07/1932 Burry Port
Vile day, wild West wind with big rain showers; cold. Trains from Aberystwyth to Burry Port (where we stayed at the Neptune Hotel by the railway station).
Evening, wandered over the sand dunes near the sea past Pembrey (Ashburnham golf links) and the dismantled war munitions works: a dull and dreary and utterly despoiled bit of country opposite to Gower.
Of birds we saw few (at very low water).
Common Gulls - a couple on the sands among Blackheads
Ringed Plover - 3 seen
Wheatears - a family party, and several singles.
Starlings - large flocks about here over the dunes and beaches
House Sparrows - many about here
Whinchat - one seen.
Stonechats – several.
Flora
A curiously mixed flora of natural dune plants, odd "escapes” and more or less flourishing “aliens”. Among the latter;
Evening Primrose — Takes pride of place being firmly established hereabouts, it grows in large sheets for miles along the dunes, on the railway and in meadows and c. (in fact, all over this corner of Carmarthenshire) .
Canadian Fleabane - well established round the masses of ruined munitions and - factory buildings over a mile or two of sand.
Pale Striped Toadflax (Lineria repens) - Growing on the sand-hills near the munitions factory ruins; also (in plenty) along the edge of the asphalt road thence into Pembrey, Saw a few plants of –
Purple Loosestrife - growing high on the sandhills in an incredibly dry situation.
Violet (Viola curtisii) - Pretty abundant and now in flower.
Sea Spurge – abundant
On Pembrey Dunes (and the slacks) and marshes on 28th July we found a rich flora - close to the ruined "Powder Factory" buildings but on less spoilt ground.
We saw
Common Gromwell
Brookweed (Samolus) - abundant in slacks,
Centaury - very fine big plants - abundant,
Yellow-Wort - ditto
Sagina nodosa – very abundant
Marsh Helleborine - a magnificent show, much still flowering.
This colony is spread across marshes, ‘slacks’ and even onto the dunes themselves, for perhaps 2 miles or more (?). By far the widest spread colony that Oldham or I have ever seen..
Bartsia viscosa - abundant. Also very wide spread over marshesby the dunes for miles. Growing in some cases in very dry situations.
Gladdon – some big patches on the sand dunes (as at Castlemartin).
Filago germanica – abundant.
Filago minima – abundant.
Salix repens – miles of this in the slacks and c.
Gentianella amarella - in plenty.
(Liparis loeselii - grows in the 'slacks' here - teste Mrs, Vachell and H. Hyde of Cardiff. But we could not find any tonight.)
Although Bertram Lloyd's diaries cover a number of years in the 1930's, the entry for 27th July 1932 is the only one which contains Carmarthenshire records, I am greatly indebted to Mr. S.B. Evans and his staff for scrutinizing the diaries and passing the above on to me.
R.D.P.
1. Parentucellia viscosa (Yellow Bartsia) - a rare plant of South-west Britain; last seen in Pembrey Forest in 1982.
2. Liparis loeselii (Fen Orchid) has not been seen on Pembrey Burrows for many years, nor on Tywyn Burrows since the early 1970's, Still at Laugharne Burrows however.