Invertebrate survey at Gunpowder Park, the former Royal Ordnance Site in the Lee Valley
Carabidae Stenolophus teutonus Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This small reddish ground beetle occurred in Area D. Stenolophus teutonus is a southern species,
found only in southern England and south Wales, most recent records coming from Hampshire,
Surrey and Sussex. It appears to be very rare in Essex. It inhabits damp, rather open ground near
water, such as gravel pits and pond margins (Luff 1998), being found on bare ground at the edge of
standing water and in grass tussocks and wet vehicle tracks.
Cerambycidae Aromia moschata (Musk Beetle) Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This longhorn beetle (Plate 15) was found on Carrot flowers at the northern edge of Area D near
Arca C. Nationally it was formerly more widespread, but is much declined with modern records
widely distributed from southern England through to northern England, and also recorded from the
Hebrides. It is a beetle of wetland and wet woodland, in particular fens and willow carr. The host
trees are probably Sallow, White Willow and Osier, appearing to have a preference for healthy,
younger or mature trees, rather than overmature ones. The presence of nectar sources such as
Umbellifers may be important for the adults of this species (Hyman & Parsons 1992). The beetle is
included as a saproxylic (dead wood) indicator species for use in evaluating wooded habitats for the
conservation of dead-wood Coleoptera (Fowles, Alexander & Key 1999). It is assigned a rarity score of
8 out of a maximum of 32 for use in calculating Saproxylic Quality Indices.
Chrysomelidae Longitarsus agilis Notable/Na, Essex Red Data species
This weevil was collected in Area C. It is very local and only known in southern and south-eastern
England. In Hyman & Parsons (1992) only known to be recently recorded from four vice counties. It
may be new to Essex, since it is not included in Hammond (2000). It is phytophagous, associated with
figwort Scrophularia. The species has been recorded from downland, heathland, hedgebanks, grass
verges, open areas in woodland and lake margins.
Chrysomelidae Longitarsus lycopi Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This weevil was found in Area D. It is widespread and very local in southern England with scattered
records, and recently recorded as far north as Cambridgeshire (Hyman & Parsons 1992). It may be new
to Essex, since it is not included in Hammond (2000). It is phytophagous, associated with Common
Calamint Calamintha ascendens in grassland, Selfheal Prunella in open woodland and Gypsywort
Lycopus europaeus in wetland habitats. The species has been recorded from calcareous grassland and
occasionally, as here, in open woodland and wetland.
Coccinellidae Adonia variegata (Adonis' Ladybird) Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data sp.
This ladybird was recorded in Areas A, B, B2, C and D. It is scarce and restricted mainly to dry sandy
places, in particular to heathlands and the coast. It is widespread with scattered records around southern
Britain but is only frequent in the Thames area, in South Wales and in Staffordshire. The ladybird is a
characteristic component of open dry warm habitats in the London region.
Haliplidae Haliplus laminatus Notable/Nb, Essex Red Data species
This crawling water beetle was found in Area D. Haliplus laminatus is a small brown beetle typically
found in lowland areas in slow-moving parts of rivers and base-rich pools and canals with restricted
vegetation. The adults feed on filamentous algae, worms (Oligochaeta) and non-biting midge
(Chironomidae) larvae.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)
97