Friends of Naphill Common

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?
Cranefly

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)