Invertebrate survey at Gunpowder Park, the former Royal Ordnance Site in the Lee Valley
southwards (d'Assis Fonseca 1978). This is the second county record, the first being from the City
of London Cemetery.
Dolichopodidae Hercostomus chalybeus Local
The species was recorded in Areas C and D. It is recorded widely in southern England as far north
as Nottinghamshire and Huntingdonshire, but is uncommon very and local (d'Assis Fonseca 1978).
It is recorded from only three other Essex sites.
Dolichopodidae Rhaphium antennatum Local
The species was collected in Areas C and D. It has been found in England north to Yorkshire, but is
scarce (d'Assis Fonseca 1978). More than half the recent records are from the Thames Marshes,
although there are widely scattered records elsewhere in the southern half of England north to
Yorkshire. Most records are coastal, but it can occur well inland. Large numbers were found during
the current survey, yet the only other Essex records are for two adjacent sites on the coast in the
northeast of the county. It is a rather distinctive dolichopodid fly with a strangely modified arista
with a process at the end resembling a tiny tennis racquet. Adults occur at the waters margin in
coastal marshes, fens and gravel pits. The larval biology is unknown, but they arc probably semi-
aquatic predators.
Dolichopodidae Teuchophorus calcaratus Local
The species was recorded in Area D. It has been found in England north to Yorkshire, but is scarce
(d'Assis Fonseca 1978). This is only the third known Essex site. It is a small predatory fly, typically
of shingle banks by rivers.
Empididae Empis planetica Local
The species was found in Area C. It is a small woodland empidid, but very little has been published
about the ecology of the species. It is widespread but rare, and this is only the fourth Essex record.
Empididae Rhamphomyia lamellata Notable/N, NCR, Essex Red Data species
The species was recorded in Area D. This is a small predatory fly, widely distributed but very local
in England and Wales. It is perhaps associated with damp woodlands or wetlands, but very little
has been published about the ecology of the species. The survey has recorded it new to Essex.
Lauxaniidae Homoneura patelliformis Notable/N, Essex Red Data species
The species was recorded in Arca C. It is a small fly with records scattered widely in England and
Wales north to Yorkshire. It is found in a variety of situations including woods, gardens, grassland
and hedgerows. The larvae of this family develop in rotting vegetation.
Muscidae Helina abdominalis Notable/N, Essex Red Data species
The species was recorded in Area D. It is a muscid fly whose larvae in rotholes in old/dead trees.
Muscidae Lispocephala falculata Notable/N, Essex Red Data species
The species was collected in Areas B and D. It is a muscid fly, which is not uncommon at a few
localities in southern England.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)
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