16
The Essex Naturalist
female ovipositor. P. communis and P. germanica are both quite common and
often encountered in Essex, though P. cognata is rarely seen and may be
genuinely scarce.
In most of Europe a fourth species, P. vulgaris, exists and has for many years
been confused with P. communis. It appears that P. vulgaris may be absent from
Britain, but investigations are still continuing and any large, particularly bright
examples of P. communis encountered would warrant further study.
I hope that this briefest of introductions may interest some of my audience
enough to make them get out of their armchairs and take up entomology. If so, I
will be more than pleased to assist them with naming of specimens.
References
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Barnard, P.C, 1977. Sialis nigripes Pictet (Megaloptera: Sialidae), an alder fly new to Britain
and Ireland. Entomologist's Gazette 28: 269 - 274.
Cottle, R., Edwards, M. & Roberts, S., 1996. Euroleon nostras (Fourcroy, 1985) (Neur.:
Myrmeleontidae) confirmed ass breeding in Britain. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var. 108: 299 -
300.
Fraser, F.C, 1959. Mecoptera, Megaloptera and Neuroptera. Handbooks for the Identification of
British Insects, 1 (12 & 13). London: Royal Entomological Society.
Hynd, W.R.B., 1989. Coniopteryx lentiae Aspock & Aspock (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) new
to Britain. Entomologist's Gazette 40: 149 - 150.
Plant, C.W., 1992. Semidalis pseudouncinata Meinander, 1963 (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae)
new to Britain with a note on its separation from S. aleyrodiformis (Stephens). Entomologist's
Gazette 43: 202-292.
- , 1993. Cunctochrysa bellifontensis Leraut, 1988 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), new to Britain
with a note on its identification. Entomologist's Gazette 44: 41 - 44.
- , 1994- Provisional Atlas of the Neuroptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera and Mecoptera of the
British Isles. Huntingdon, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.
- , 1996. Nineta inpunctata (Reuter, 1894) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): a new lacewing recorded
in Britain. Entomologist's Gazette 47: 115 - 120.
Plant, C.W. & Harvey, PR., 1997. Biodiversity Action Plan: Invertebrates of the South Essex
Thames Terrace Gravels. Phase 1: Characterisation of the existing resource, (three volumes).
Unpublished report to English Nature (Essex sub-office).
Plant, C.W. & Hynd, W.R.B., 1991. Coniopteryx esbenpeterseni Tjeder, 1930, (Neuroptera:
Coniopterygidae) new to Britain with a comment on the subgenus Metaconiopteryx in
Britain. Entomologist's Gazette 42: 104 - 106.