Invertebrates

 

 

Aside from butterflies and dragonflies, several groups of invertebrates have been studied on Dawlish Warren over the years, some records go back to the 1850s. This page only gives an example of the species recorded, more detailed lists are held by the wardens, but these have not been made available to the website. We hope to be able to publish these lists in the future, but if you have any records you can add to this database please send them on.  All information will of course be forwarded to the reserve wardens.  If you require any information on National Recording Schemes, please use the Biological Records Centre.

 

Related Links:  The British Entomological and Natural History Society                              Buglife

 

 

Hymenoptera (Bees, wasps and ants)    Related Link:  Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society

 

Many rare species have been recorded over the years, many burrowing into the soft sandy substrate to breed, including pre-1970 records of the UK BAP species Lasioglossum pauperatum. The large sand wasp Ammophila sabulosa, is mentioned in the SSSI citation and can be regularly seen hunting the dune ridge. Several species of Bumblebee have been recorded, these include Bombus lucorum, lapidarius, terrestris and Bombus pascuorum. Hornet Vespa crabro has been recorded on several occasions and may now nest on site.

 

These additional species have also been recorded recently.

 

Episyron rufipes Tachysphex pompiliformis
Nysson trimaculatus Anthophora bimaculata
Diodontus minutus Epeolus variegatus
Chrysis impressa Megachile leachella
Hedychridium ardens Megachile maritima
Oxybelus uniglumis Coelioxys conoidea
Dryudella pinguis  

 

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, crickets and allies)

 

20 species having been recorded on Dawlish Warren, this makes it one of the most outstanding sites in the UK, especially considering its size. The wide range of habitats and the mild weather all combine to create the ideal conditions for a wide variety of species.

 

Oak Bush-cricket                         Meconoma thalassinum

 

This species is present in the Entrance Bushes and  presumably in other wooded areas on site. Individuals have even been found in the Visitor Centre.

 

Great Green Bush-cricket         Tettigonia viridissima

 

This Devon BAP species is widespread on site, especially in areas of bramble scrub. The loud stridulation easily reveals its presence, but despite its large size they can be difficult to locate.

 

Dark Bush-cricket                       Pholidoptera griseoaptera

 

This common species is widespread in south Devon, but despite searching, has only been seen once in the recording area. A single individual in second or third instar was recorded near the First Pond in 2000. However in 2008 several adults and individuals in various instars were found in a large patch of Restharrow near the Visitor Centre. It is hoped this will lead to the establishment of a population on the reserve.

 

Grey Bush-cricket                       Platycleis albopunctata

 

This is a predominately coastal species which can be found on sand dunes and cliffs along most of the southern coast of England. A single large instar was recorded here in 1993, but there have been no further records. This individual was seen whilst planting trees in the Buffer Zone so may have been introduced on them. However in 2008 several individuals in various instars were found with Dark Bush-cricket in a large patch of Restharrow near the Visitor Centre, so the species is probably native on site.

 

Long-winged Conehead             Conocephalus discolor

 

This species is a recent arrival in the recording area, with individuals first being noted in Greenland Lake in the mid 1990s. Since then a good population has built up and it can be found in most areas of long grassland.

 

Short-winged Conehead             Conocephalus dorsalis

 

A single female was recorded in the Buffer Zone in September 2005, previous records of instars had not ruled out the above species. Adults were also recorded in the saltmarsh in August 2008.

 

Speckled Bush-cricket               Leptophytes punctatissima

 

A single adult individual, recorded in the Dogwood clump on Warren Point, is the only record, but this species should occur elsewhere on site. This prediction was finally confirmed when a late instar was recorded near the Tractor Compound in July 2008.

 

Cepero’s Ground-hopper          Tetrix ceperoi

 

Has been recorded around the Entrance Bushes and Greenland Lake, although never in high numbers. This is one of the few sites in south Devon for this nationally rare species.

 

Slender Ground-hopper          Tetrix subulata 

Discovered in Greenland Lake in April 2009, no doubt overlooked previously.

 

Common Ground-hopper           Tetrix undulata

 

This species is found in similar areas to its rarer relative, often in good numbers. It is the only native orthopteran that can be found at all times of year.

 

Common Field Grasshopper      Chorthippus brunneus

 

A widespread species that is commonly found on site. If disturbed adults can fly good distances to escape.

 

Meadow Grasshopper                Chorthippus parallelus

 

Another widespread and common species, this is the most numerous on the Warren.

 

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper       Chorthippus albomarginatus

 

This species is rare in the southwest and this is one of the few sites it occurs in Devon. Several individuals have been recorded in the saltmarsh at the back of the Golf Course, most recently in August 2008. Elsewhere on the Exe, it has been recorded at Exminster Marshes and the Old Sludge Beds.

 

Rufous Grasshopper      Gomphocerippus rufus

 

The first Devon record of this nationally rare species was found here by Parfitt in 1881. Unfortunately it has long been extinct on site.

 

Mottled Grasshopper                 Myrmeleotettix maculatus

 

This species prefers areas of short sun-baked turf and can be found in these situations on the reserve, especially inward of the Dune Ridge.

 

Dusky Cockroach                        Ectobius lapponicus

 

Dawlish Warren is one of very few sites were this species can be found in Devon. It has been recorded on Warren Point, but presumably occurs elsewhere on site.

 

Tawny Cockroach                        Ectobius pallidus

 

Like Dusky, this species is rarely recorded in Devon. Here it is recorded more frequently than the above species, it has regularly been found at moth traps all around the reserve.

 

Lesser Cockroach                       Ectobius panzeri

 

The most frequently encountered of the three native cockroaches on the reserve. It can be particularly numerous in the short grass on Warren Point.

 

Common Earwig                           Forficula auricularia

 

As elsewhere this species can be encountered almost anywhere on site.

 

Lesne’s Earwig                             Forficula lesnei

 

One found by John Walters near the car park on 10/10/2003 is the only record.

 

 

Diptera (Flies)   Related link: http://www.hoverfly.org.uk

 

Many rare species have been recorded over the years, including the UK BAP cranefly Geranomyia bezzi, however apart from a series of records from the early 1980s there is little information available on this group at present. An initail attempt at a site list can be found here More recent sightings include the hoverfly Volucella zonaria  and a 1986 record of several Carcelia lucorum, (from a Cream-spot Tiger Arctica villica host).

 

Coleoptera (Beetles)

 

With the exception of the colourful Coccinellidae (Ladybirds), and the list of Carabidae (ground beetles) provided by John Walters, little information is available for this the largest animal group. Moth trapping in 2005 produced records of two nationally scarce species; Sawyer Beetle Prionus coriarius and the water beetle Dytiscus circumflexus, the latter a first for Devon. Included in the list of ground beetles list is the UK BAP species Cillenus lateralis (previously Bembidon laterale) which is found around the Bight. There are also old records for another BAP species Amara incida, and a third species, which is found in saline mud and has been recorded from the Exe estuary, may be present Bembidon quadripustulatum.

 

The following ladybirds have been recorded on site, good numbers of several species can often be found by searching the remaining Tree Lupins:  

 

7 spot Ladybird              Coccinella 7-punctata  
Eyed Ladybird  Anatis ocellata

Recorded once, a worn individual at a moth trap, perhaps a migrant from Haldon?
2 spot Ladybird   Coccinella 2-punctata  
10 spot Ladybird    Adalia 10-punctata  
14 spot Ladybird Propylea 14-punctata  
Orange Ladybird Halyzia 16-guttata Regularly recorded at moth traps
11 spot Ladybird Coccinella 11-punctata Recorded in June 2003 and other occasions by James Diamond.  A species associated with dune systems
Pine (4 spot) Ladybird Exochumus 4-pustulatus

Recorded in 1977and seen again in March 2007
16 spot Ladybird Micraspis 16-punctata Recorded in 1977 and seen again in 2005
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis This invasive alien species was first recorded in 2008
Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia 14-guttata First recorded in July 2010
Cream-streaked Ladybird Harmonia 4-punctata First recorded in August 2010
22-spot Ladybird    Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata First recorded in July 2010
Kidney-spot Ladybird Chilocorus renipustulatus First recorded in August 2010

 

The following ground beetles have been recorded on site since 2002:

 

Code

Taxon

Code

Taxon

34

Nebria salina

200

Agonum muelleri

42

Notiophilus substriatus

212

Amara aenea

59

Dyschirius thoracicus

242

Amara tibialis

62

Broscus cephalotes

259

Harpalus (Harpalus) affinis

72

Trechus (Trechus) obtusus

260

Harpalus (Harpalus) anxius

115

Bembidion (Cillenus) laterale

261

Harpalus (Harpalus) attenuatus

121

Bembidion (Diplocampa) assimile

270

Harpalus (Harpalus) rubripes

136

Bembidion (Philochthus) guttula

275

Harpalus (Harpalus) tardus

148

Pogonus chalceus

283

Dicheirotrichus gustavi

169

Pterostichus nigrita

290

Bradycellus harpalinus

171

Pterostichus strenuus

330

Demetrias atricapillus

0176a

Calathus cinctus

335

Dromius linearis

178

Calathus fuscipes

337

Dromius melanocephalus

179

Calathus melanocephalus

338

Dromius meridionalis

181

Calathus mollis

346

Metabletus foveatus

 

 

Arachnidae (Spiders)    Related Link:  British Arachnological Society

 

The large and colourful Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi has been increasingly recorded in Greenland Lake and elsewhere on the reserve since 2000. The only other species recorded from the reserve, mostly from 2009 are Araneus diadematus, Araniella curcurbitina, Arctosa perita, Larinioides cornutus, Pardosa monitcola, Pardosa pullata, Philodromus aureolus, Pisaura mirabilis,  Salticus scenicus, Tegenaria gigantea, Tetragnatha extensa, Xerolycosa miniata and Xysticus cristatus.

 

 

Other species

 

A huge variety of other species of invertebrates can be found within the recording area, in all habitats from woodland to mudflats. As time progresses it is hoped that continued research will be hopefully augmented by other records and a more complete database will be available. If you are able to provide further information on any group or species from Common Water-boatman Notonecta glauca  to the Paignton Cockle Acanthocardia aculetata please get in touch.

 

Other notable species known to be present include:

 

Ophelia bicornis – a polychaete worm found in the estuarine sand at the mouth of the Exe, one of a handful of UK sites for this species.

 

The introduced Tree Lupin Lupinus arboreus supports and an American aphid species Macrosiphum albifrons. In some years this large species can kill off large numbers of lupins, but it has not been recorded effecting any other species on site.

 

An introduced snail Toltecia pusilla, only a few mm long, originally from New Zealand, has been recorded in Greenland Lake. Other molluscs include the Common Garden Snail Helix aspersa and the marine species Hydrobia ulvae.  The shell of this tiny snail can be found around the shore of the Bight in thousands.  It is a major food source for many birds in the estuary and has been recorded at densities of 13,000/sq.m.

 

The UK BAP listed brackish water crustacean Allomelita pellucida was recorded in 1937.

 

A species of leafhopper that was first discovered in 1980 on Warren Point, this was the first British record.

 

A nationally rare woodlouse has been recorded from debris on the tide line, although not recently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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