Insects
Insect survey 2013/2014 by Neil Fletcher
Moth survey 2013 by Neil Fletcher
Invertebrate Survey 2012 by John Tyler
Butterfly Survey 2011 by Butterfly Conservation Society
Invertebrate Survey 2010 by John Tyler
Short Invertebrate Survey 29th May 2009 by M.G. Bloxham FRES (Surveyor: Invertebrates), W.R. Price & T. Hussey (Field Assistants)
Survey of Insects on Naphill Common 1995 by Peter Hodge
General comments of insect life on Naphill Common:-
Being a mature oak and beech wood with numerous veteran trees and rotting logs, Naphill
Common ought to have a rich insect fauna, including some rarities. We might expect to
find stag beetles Lucanus cervus associated with the oaks, and even lesser stag
beetles Dorcus parallelipipedus. Another rare beetle, Sinodendron
cylindricum has been found nearby in Park Wood and Stocking Lane Wood. Since this
breeds in rotting beech trees it should be present on the common. There are several
species of longhorn beetle that also breed in ancient deciduous trees, so we could look
out for them. Beetles are not the only insects associated with ancient trees: the
crane-fly Ctenophora flaveolata, a Red Data Book rarity, has been seen at Hampden - so
why not Naphill?
Red Data Book Crane-fly © Philip Hussey
There are many other, less rare insects to look out for. Around the ponds there are
several species of dragonfly and damselfly and on the birch trees you will find species
of shield bug: the green, the forest and the hawthorn bug, but also the parent bug Elasmucha grisea, which is unusual because the female looks after its young until
they are almost adult - a rare thing in insects (earwigs do the same). There are numerous
butterflies including speckled wood, comma and purple hairsteak.
One of the objectives of the Friend of Naphill Common is to carry out surveys on animal and plant life found on the Common.
This could be carried out by a mixture of professional bodies or individuals and members of Friends of Naphill Common who have either an interest or just happen to see something on the Common.
If you have any information or can help in any way please do not hesitate to contact Trevor Hussey (see contact us)