The Essex Naturalist
71
C. (Blepharipus) nigritus (Lepeletier & Brulle)
Nests in stems of Typha or in cut stems of shrubs and preys on small Diptera.
Sandy Wood near Terling, Dagenham Chase and Fobbing Marshes are the
known Essex localities, all in recent years.
C. (Cuphopterus) binotatus (Lepeletier & Brulle)
Preys on rhagionid flies of the genus Rhagio bringing them to its nest which is
constructed in hard wood.
"Of this insect, of which only three or four examples have occurred, I took a fine
male in 1882 and a second in 188.3, the latter from a burrow in its post"
(Harwood 1884). We know of no other Essex records.
C. (Ableplutripus) podagricus (Van der Linden)
Nests in hard timber, preying on Diptera, especially Nematocera.
Listed for the Colchester area by Harwood (1884) without further detail.
Hanson (1992) gives Hill Wood and Sunshine Plain in Epping Forest, between
1976 and 1990. We can also list Fingringhoe Wick and Rowhedge in 1986 (G
Else and M Edwards) then post-1989 at Sandy Wood, Terling, and Howlands
Marsh, St Osyth.
C. (Hoplocrahro) quadrimaculatus (Fabr.)
Nests in soil, especially amongst roots of uprooted trees. Preys mainly on Diptera
but has also been noted to take adult tortricoid moths and caddis flies of the
family Phryganeidae.
Hanson (1992) lists Lords Bushes in Epping Forest between 1976 and 1990. Mill
Wood Pit, Broom Hill (West Tilbury), Sandpit Hill on Hadleigh Downs, The
Naze at Walton and Weeleyhall Wood are the five localities for which we have
more recent records.
C. (Acanthocrabro) vagabundus (Panzer) - RDB 1 +
Nests in rotten wood. It preys on craneflies (Tipulidae) usually removing their
legs.
Listed for the Colchester area by Harwood (1884) without further detail. Listed
for North Essex by Falk (1991) without detail but presumably relating to the
Harwood record. Though evidently not uncommon at the end of the last
century, this species had, until recently, not been recorded in Britain since 1953
and was generally regarded as being extinct here. However, in 1990 it was
rediscovered in the New Forest (Else 1993); the possibility of it eventually being
refound in Essex should not be overlooked.
Ectemnius (Ectemnius) dives (Lepeletier & Brulle)
Preys almost exclusively on hoverflies (Syrphidae) though also reported
catching Tachinidae. Nests in rotten timber.
So far only recorded from six localities in Essex but almost certainly awaiting
discovery elsewhere. We can list Dolphin Quarry, Mill Wood Pit, Ferry Fields