Thereva fulva (Diptera: Therevidae), new to Essex
Fig. 1. Thereva fulva photograph P.R. Harvey
Unfortunately between the 19th June and 8th July 2003 the whole grassland area was cut from edge
to edge, removing all forage and structural diversity. A further visit on the 20th August found the
grassland apparently having been cut at least once again, with a fairly recent cut. The effect on the
rare invertebrate populations, including Thereva fulva, is likely to be highly detrimental. Input
from the Thurrock Biodiversity Action Group (TBAG) has now hopefully put in motion a more
enlightened management of the grassland at the site.
Acknowledgements
The author is very grateful to Del Smith for confirming the identification of the specimen of Thereva
fulva. Anchor Field is one of a number of Thurrock sites for which the Council commissioned
survey work to inform the planning process and the author is grateful for permission to carry out
part of this survey and to publish results.
References
FALK, S. (1991) A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great Britain (part 1). Research & Survey in
Nature Conservation, number 39. NCC.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)