Olav's Wood: Invertebrates

Printable leaflet

Home

Galleries of photographs

Wildlife

History

Maps

Location

Contact

Printable leaflet

Invertebrates in Olav's Wood

Here are a records of invertebrates, including insects and other arthropods, and molluscs, found in the woods. Thanks especially to Lee Johnson (LJ), and also to Andy Mitchell (AM), for these records and photographs. The unacknowledged records on this page are those from Lee Johnson's record list.

One of the recent developments illustrating the value of Olav's Wood for wildlife is that several species new to Orkney have been discovered in the woods by Lee Johnson. These are marked * below.

There is a separate butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) page. For invertebrates in the burn, see the Fauna of Oback Burn.

Insects

1. Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, Ants, etc.)

Bees

This list of bee species in the woodland is supplied by Andy Mitchell and Lee Johnson:

Apis mellifera - European Honey Bee (LJ, April 2015)

Bombus distinguendus - Great Yellow Bumblebee (AM)

Once widespread in Britain its range has "contracted alarmingly". It is now restricted to some Hebridean islands, the north coast of Scotland and Orkney. Elsewhere it is distributed widely in the northern Palaearctic from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Bombus (Megabombus) hortorum - Small Garden Bumblebee (LJ, June 2015)

A widespread bumblebee in Britain.

Bombus lucorum - White-tailed Bumblebee (AM)

A common and widespread bumblebee (a queen was recorded in the woods by Lee Johnson, April 2015)

Bombus muscorum - Moss Carder Bee (LJ, on Hestily side of woodland)

An uncommon and declining bumblebee, formerly found across large parts of Britain. Its stronghold is in the north and west of Scotland, but it is found in some coastal and hill areas elsewhere.

Bombus pascuorum - Common Carder Bee (AM)

A fairly recent incomer to Orkney and, in Britain, is extending its range northwards.

Ants

Myrmica ruginodis - An ant species found in more northerly and high altitude zones than the common red ant (LJ, 2015)

Sawflies

Dolerus sp. (LJ)

Platycampus luridiventris - Lava found on the underside of an Alder leaf. Alder is its foodplant. (LJ, 17 Sept 2018)

Pontania proxima - Willow Redgall Sawfly (LJ)

Wasps

Andricus curvator - A Cynipid oak gall wasp (possibly a new Orkney record: LJ, 13th June 2017)

Doliuchovespula (Pseudovespula) sylvestris - Tree Wasp (LJ)

Ichneumonoidea - Ichneumon wasps (LJ)

Vespula rufa - Red Wasp (LJ)

In addition, there is evidence of braconid wasp parasitation in the woods.

These galls on a young oak in Olav's Wood are caused by a Cynipid wasp Andricus curvator. Inside the gall is an inner gall. This could well be a new record for Orkney. (LJ, 13th June 2017)	Sawfly larva Platycampus luridiventris on the underside of an alder leaf (LJ, 17th Sept 2018).

2. Diptera (Flies)

Aphidoletes sp. - An Aphid Midge

Argyra sp. - A Long-legged Fly

Beris sp. - A Soldier Fly

Beris chalybata - Murky-legged Black Legionnaire

Bibio pomonae - Red-thighed St. Mark's Fly/Heather Fly

Calliphora vicina - A blowfly

Calliphora vomitoria - A blowfly (LJ, 14 Aug 2018)

Cerodontha iridaeos - Iris Leaf-miner (LJ, 21 Aug 2018)

An uncommon fly in Orkney, whose larvae feed on iris leaves (Iris pseudacorus)

Chrysopilus cristatus - Black Snipefly

Dicranomyia modesta - A Crane Fly

Dolichopodidae - Long-legged Flies

Ectopsocus petersi - A barkfly

Elachiptera cornuta agg. - A frit (or grass) fly (Chloropidae), a possible first record for Orkney

Empididae - Dagger Flies

Haematopota - A Horsefly

Hydrotaea diabolus

Lauxaniidae

Limonia nubeculosa - A Crane Fly

Limonia trivittata - A Crane Fly

Meiosimyza rorida

Muscidae - House Flies

Mesembrina meridiana - Noon Fly

* Molophilus ater - A small crane fly

A new record for Orkney (LJ, May 2016)

Ptychoptera albimana - A Phantom Crane Fly

This species is more commonly recorded in the south of Britain.

Rhypholophus varius - A Crane Fly

Scathophaga furcata - A Yellow Dung Fly

Scathophaga stercoraria - Common Yellow Dung Fly

Tabanidae - Horse Flies (on Hestily side of woodland)

Tipula maxima - A Crane Fly

The largest of the British crane flies.

Tipula oleracea - A Crane Fly

Tipula paludosa - A Crane Fly

Tipula rufina - A Crane Fly

This small crane fly, Molophilus ater, was recorded in Olav's Wood in May 2016 by Lee Johnson. This is a new record for Orkney. This species is locally common in other parts of the UK. Adults appear in late May or early June. Although it has wings, it is essentially flightless.

This little frit (or grass) fly (Chloropidae) was found in leaf litter and rough grass on the edge of Olav's Wood, Elachiptera cornuta agg. This is possibly a first record for Orkney (LJ, March 2017).	Calliphora vomitoria blowflies feeding on rose hips at Olav's Wood (LJ, 14th Aug 2018).

A tiny Aphid Midge larva (Aphidoletes sp.) on a willow leaf which has been infected with a rust in Olav's Wood (LJ, 7th Aug \ 2017).	The leafmine of the iris leafminer fly Cerodontha iraeos (LJ, 21st Aug 2018).

Red-thighed St Mark's Fly (Bibio pomonae) photographed on Rosa rugosa leaves in Olav's Wood in July 2016.	A Sawfly (Tenthredo sp.?) photographed in Olav's Wood in July 2016.	Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) photographed in Olav's Wood in July 2016.

Hoverflies (Syrphidae)

This list of hoverflies found in the woods was contributed by Lee Johnson (2015-19).

Episyrphus balteatus - Marmalade Hoverfly

Eristalis abusivus - Levels Drone Fly

Eristalis arbustorum - A Drone Fly

Eristalis intricarius - A bumblebee mimic

Eristalis pertinax - Tapered Drone Fly

Eristalis tenax - Common Drone Fly

Eupeodes corollae

Helophilus pendulus

Leucozona lucorum

Melanostoma scalare

* Melangyna lasiophthalma - A new record for Orkney (LJ, 2016. See the photograph below)

Platycheirus albimanus

Platycheirus granditarsus

Platycheirus manicatus

Rhingia campestris

Scaeva pyrastri (on the Hestily side of the woodland)

Sericomyia silentis

Syritta pipiens - Thick-legged Hoverfly

Syrphus sp.

Volucella bombylans - A bumblebee mimic

Xylota segnis

The hoverfly Sericomyia silentis - a male (LJ, 12th Aug 2017).	A hoverfly Syrphus sp. (LJ, 10th May 2018).
The hoverfly Melangyna lasiophthalma photographed in Olav's Wood in April 2017 by Lee Johnson. This is a new record for Orkney. It is a Spring-flying hoverfly.	The hoverfly Rhingia campestris photographed in a Rosa rugosa flower in Olav's Wood in July 2016.

3. Coleoptera (Beetles)

From Lee Johnson's records (2015 onwards), unless otherwise noted:

Aphidecta obliterata - Larch Ladybird

Picture (L. Johnson) from Olav's Wood below. This is only recently (2015) recorded in Orkney, by Lee Johnson,
and records in the far north of Scotland are rare.

Aphodius (Acrossus) depressus - a Dung Beetle

Cantharis nigricans - A Soldier Beetle

This species is more commonly recorded in the south of Britain than the north.

Elaphrus riparius - An attractive, jewel-like Ground Beetle, with a distinctly southerly distribution in the UK. This is only the third record for Orkney. Pictured below.

Elateridae - Click Beetles

Gastrophysa viridula - Green Dock Beetle

Nebria brevicollis - a common Ground Beetle, sometimes called a Gazelle Beetle

* Otiorhynchus nodosus - A weevil

Otiorhynchus singularis - Clay-cloured Weevil (LJ, 3rd May 2017)

Olophrum piceum - A Rove Beetle

Philonthus laminatus - A Rove Beetle

Rhagonycha lignosa - A Soldier Beetle

This species is more commonly recorded in the south of Britain than the north.

Staphylinidae - Rove Beetles

Strophosoma melanogrammum - A weevil, widespread in Europe, reaching Orkney but not Shetland. (LJ, 9th June 2020)

A Larch Ladybird recorded in Olav's Wood - only recently (2015) discovered in Orkney. [L. Johnson, Sept 2015]	A jewel-like Ground Beetle (Elaphrus riparius). Magnify the image twice to see the beautifully- patterned elytra (wing-cases). This is the third record for Orkney for this beetle which is more common in southern parts of the UK. Inhabits wet areas, especially watersides. [L. Johnson, June 2016]
A weevil (Otiorhynchus nodosus) found by Lee Johnson (March 2017). This is a first record for Orkney.	Green Dock Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) (LJ, 29th May 2018).
Green Dock Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) eggs (LJ, 12th June 2018).*	Clay-coloured Weevil (Otiorhynchus singularis) (LJ, 3rd May 2017).

* Lee Johnson comments: Possible hoverfly Parasyrphus nigritarsis egg laid on top of Green Dock Beetle eggs at Olav's Wood. The larvae feed on the eggs and larvae of the dock beetle. Not a common species and I haven't seen it at Olav's Wood before. (LJ, 12th June 2018)

4. Hemiptera (Bugs)

Anthocoris nemorum - Common Flowerbug

Cacopsylla sp. - A Jumping Plant-louse (LJ, 7th May 2017). Picture below.

Evacanthus interruptus - A black and yellow Leafhopper

Leptopterna ferrugata - A Grass Bug

Stenodema (Brachystira) calcarata - A Grass Bug

Common Flowerbug (Anthocoris nemorum) "sorting out it wings" (LJ, 30th April 2017).	Small (3mm) Psyllid (Jumping Plant- louse) found on hawthorn in Olav's Wood. Cacopsylla sp. (Possibly C. melanoneura or C. affinis) (LJ, 7 May 2017).

5. Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths)

See the separate butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) page.

6. Odonata (Dragonflies and damselflies)

A dragonfly was seen in Olav's Wood by Andy Mitchell (Sept 2015). Possibly Common Hawker (Aeshna juncea).

7. Psocoptera (Barklice, booklice, barkflies)

Ectopsocus petersi - A barkfly (LJ, 30th April 2017).

Graphopsocus cruciatus ? - See pictures below.

A barkfly nymph (possibly Graphopsocus cruciatus, a common species) and (second picture) hatched barkfly eggs covered in a net of threads on the underside of a leaf in Olav's Wood. (Record and photographs: LJ, 13th April, 2017).

Small (2mm) barkfly (male) from Olav's Wood Ectopsocus peters. (LJ, 30th April 2017).	Female of the same species (LJ, 30th April 2017).

8. Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)

A mayfly photographed in the woods by Lee Johnson (10th May 2018).

Collembola - Springtails

* Dicyrtomina saundersi - A globular springtail. This is a new record for Orkney (LJ, November 2016, see the photograph below)

* Entomobrya nivalis - A common springtail, but a new record for Orkney (LJ, 13th May 2017)

Tomocerus minor - A common springtail (pictures below).

A springtail (Dicyrtomina saundersi) found by Lee Johnson on rotting twigs and in leaf litter near the burn in Olav's Wood. This is a first record for Orkney and the northernmost record in the UK for this species. The individuals are approx. 2mm long.	Entomobrya nivalis, a springtail. A common species but under-recorded and a new record for Orkney (LJ, 13th May 2017).

A common springtail, Tomocerus minor, found in leaf litter under the trees at Olav's Wood. They are 4.5 mm long and covered in little blueish scales as shown in the second picture. The top one has lost most of its scales so looks very yellow. (LJ, March 2017)

Dicyrtomina saundersi - interesting colour morphs

Entomobrya nivalis

Lepidocyrtus sp. - quite frequently

Neanura muscorum

Pogonognathellus longicornis

Tomocerus (minor?)

For Symphypleona I saw loads of Dicyrtomina, I think all saundersii but with some interesting colour morphs. Next entomobryidomorpha: In the Tomoceridae I saw both Pogonognathellus longicornis and a Tomocerus sp., I think minor but no microscopic confirmation. There was a species of Lepidocyrtus (quite frequently) and Entomobrya nivalis. For the Poduromorpha, there was lots of small white blind species, probably Onychiuridae but could be Tullbergidae. Some of the particularly soggy bits of wood had small groups of Neanura muscorum. I didn’t manage to find any Neelipleona, but I’d be very surprised if there were no Megalothorax in the woods.

Other arthropods

Arachnida (Spiders, Mites etc)

From Lee Johnson's records (2015-19):

Araneus diadematus - Garden Spider

Araneus quadratus - Four-spot Orbweaver

Enoplognatha ovata sensu lato

* Larinioides cornutus - A Furrow Spider

Linyphiidae - Money Spiders

Lycosidae - Wolf Spiders

Metellina mengei - A Long-jawed Orbweaver (Tetragnathidae)

Metellina merianae - Shaded Orbweaver spider

Metellina segmentata sensu lat - A Long-jawed Spider (Tetragnathidae)

Microlinyphia pusilla - A Money Spider

Pardosa nigriceps - A Wolf Spider (on Hestily side of woodland)

Robertus lividus - A Comb-footed Spider (Theridiidae)

Tetragnatha extensa - A Long-jawed Orb-weaver Spider

Tibellus possibly T. oblongus - rarely recorded in Orkney (April 2018, see below)

Leiobunum rotundum

Paroligolophus agrestis

A Damaeidae mite - see pictures below

Mesostigmata sp.- A Mite

In May 2015, Lee Johnson recorded the furrow spider Larinioides cornutus in the woods (photograph below). This has been confirmed by Edward Milner as a first record for Orkney.

A furrow spider (Larinioides cornutus) in Olav's Wood - a first record for Orkney. [L. Johnson, May 2015]	A 'Long-jawed Spider'(Metellina merianae) in the conifers of Helen's Wood. [L. Johnson, 2015]

Tibellus (possibly oblongus) in Olav's Wood. [L. Johnson, April 2018]	A Shaded Orbweaver spider (Metellina merianae) in Olav's Wood. [L. Johnson, April 2018]

This is a Damaeidae mite from leaf litter in Olav's Wood. It is shown next to the end of a pin as a size comparison. (LJ, March, 2017)

Woodlice

From Lee Johnson's records (2015):

Oniscus asellus - Common Woodlouse

Molluscs

From Lee Johnson's records (Spring 2015):

Limacus maculatus - Green Cellar/Irish Yellow Slug

Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)

Arthurdendyus triangulatus - New Zealand Flatworm

Trees and shrubs

Plants

Birds and animals

Butterflies and moths

Invertebrates

Bryophytes

Fauna of the burn

Other wildlife