Invertebrate survey at Gunpowder Park, the former Royal Ordnance Site in the Lee Valley
Surrey, with a total of 14 specimens collected in Britain prior to this survey. The spider has previously
been associated with mature heathland in Britain and pine woods on the Continent (Merrett in Bratton
1991). However, recent evidence suggests that mature broad-leaved trees such as large oak or beech in
open situations at the edge of woodland clearings, acid grassland or heathland are more typical. Mature
males and gravid females have been beaten off the lower branches of oak at Leyton Flats in South Essex
and further males and females have been collected from large oaks in open habitat in South Essex and
Hertfordshire, and from mature Beech at Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire (Harvey et al. 1993.
Carr & Harvey 1996, Carr 1998). However, in 1998 an adult female was also collected from scrubby
oak in a hedgerow near Dartford Heath in West Kent and an adult male was taken in a pitfall trap set in
a silt lagoon at Rainham Marshes in South Essex. Adults have all been found in the period from early
June to mid-July except for a single female taken in October. Although most recent records involve
mature broad-leaved trees, a common feature is an open habitat at the edge of clearings or widely
spaced trees in open grassland or heathland. Lack of management resulting in the development of
secondary woodland and the closure of open woodland is probably detrimental to this species.
Management to retain open surroundings by light grazing or periodic control of scrub and tree
invasion is likely to be important (Harvey et al. 2002).
COLEOPTERA - beetles
Apionidae Oxystoma (Apion) cerdo Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This weevil was found in Area C. It is widespread but local in the Midlands and northern England,
and also recorded in southern and eastern England. The species is associated with Vicia species.
particularly Tufted Vetch V. cracca and the larvae occur in the pods. It has been recorded from
woodland rides, grassland, hedgerows, floodplain fens and road-side verges (Hyman & Parsons
1992).
Carabidae Bembidion obliquum Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This ground beetle was recorded new to Essex in Area D, at the side of the PFA ponds during the
2002 survey. The nearest record shown in Luff (1998) is for a pre-1970 record from TQ37. It is a
local, predominantly eastern species, recorded most frequently from England, especially Yorkshire,
extending south-westwards as far as Devon. It is found at the edges of standing freshwater on acid
soils.
Carabidae Ophonus (Harpalus) ardosiacus Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This ground beetle was found in Areas B2 and C. Most recent records are from the south coast and
the Thames estuary, but a pre-1970 record is shown in Luff (1998) for TQ39 the same 10km square
as the Former Royal Ordnance site. It usually lives on chalk and limestone soils and coastal clay,
usually being found under stones, or in cracks in the substrate.
Carabidae Pterostichus longicollis Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This ground beetle was found in Areas B and B2. It is a local, southern species that extends northwards
only as far as Newark, Nottinghamshire and Spurn Head, Yorkshire - although many records in
Luff (1998) are pre-1970. It lives on bare ground near freshwater, often on limestone or chalk.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)