Download New species of caddisfly found in Yorkshire

PRESS RELEASE
Embargoed until: 22 December 2010
New species to the UK discovered
A caddisfly species has been found for the first time in the UK
A caddisfly species has been found for the first time in the UK. The insect, discovered by Stuart
Crofts, was found near a small stream flowing through woodland near Masham, North Yorkshire.
The last time a new species of caddisfly was found in the UK was in 1965.
Caddisflies are fascinating, spending the majority of their life as larvae in freshwater before
emerging as adult flies. They are pollution sensitive insects and commonly used as a litmus test for
the health of the environment. They help support healthy bird and fish populations as they provide
an important food source and they are often imitated by fly-fishermen in their artificial flies to catch
fish.
Synagapetus dubitans, is a small caddisfly of around 5mm. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing
when I identified it” said Stuart Crofts, a former international fly fisherman and Coordinator of the
Adult Caddisfly Occurrence Scheme. “To find a species new to the UK is amazing, a great honour
and very humbling experience”.
“The discovery of a new species of caddisfly in the UK is fantastic news.” said Craig Macadam,
Conservation Officer with Buglife. ”Springs and seepages in woodlands can be very important
habitats. Now that we know this species is here we can help to protect its habitat.”
“Stuart’s find demonstrates the exciting discoveries that can to be found on our doorstep” said
Bridget Peacock, Director of the Riverfly Partnership. “2010 is the International Year of
Biodiversity, celebrating the diversity of life, and to record a new riverfly species to the UK is
wonderful”.
Notes
Riverflies include mayflies (Ephemeroptera), caddisflies (Trichoptera) and stoneflies (Plecoptera) a total of 278 species in the UK.
Synagapetus dubitans is also known from France, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.
Stuart Crofts works as a fishing guide in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. He has been studying riverflies
for 20 years.
The Adult Caddisfly Occurrence Scheme is part of the Riverfly Recording Schemes - which
promotes the study and recording of caddisflies, mayflies and stoneflies in the United Kingdom.
Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust is the first organisation in Europe devoted to the
conservation of all invertebrates, and is actively engaged in saving Britain's rarest bugs, snails,
bees, wasps, ants, starfish, spiders, beetles and many more fascinating creatures. For more
information on Buglife’s work go to: www.buglife.org.uk
The Riverfly Partnership brings together anglers, conservationists, entomologists, scientists, water
course managers and relevant statutory agencies to protect the water quality of our rivers, increase
our knowledge of riverfly populations and actively conserve their habitats. Buglife and the Riverfly
Recording Schemes are founder members. For more information visit www.riverflies.org. The
Riverfly Partnership is hosted by the Salmon & Trout Association www.salmon-trout.org.
International Year of Biodiversity 2010. The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International
Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives.
The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity.
http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/.
For further information and images contact:
Bridget Peacock
Riverfly Partnership
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07590 928842