Snake-flies, alderflies, lacewings and scorpion flies in Essex
Parasemidalis fuscipennis (Reuter, 1894)
National status: Local (Unknown)
County status: Unknown /Unknown
Distribution
Probably extremely local, though certainly under
recorded at present. In Essex, this dark-coloured
wax-fly is known from just two localities, at
Writtle and in my own former garden at East Ham
(London), both during 1992. Both specimens
were taken in light traps; that from Writtle was
in the RIS trap, which used a 200-watt tungsten
filament bulb, and that from East Ham was in a
Robinson-pattern moth trap employing a 125-
watt mercury vapour bulb.
Habitat and ecology
There seems to be an association with pines,
especially Scots Pine. Although there were
Austrian Pine trees in my East Ham garden, there were no Scots pines anywhere nearby. The apparently
scarcity of the species both in Essex and in Britain as a whole may be due to an arboreal habit and
the impracticality of sampling pine canopies? However, it has also been taken from the canopy of an
oak tree in Richmond Park, Surrey, by insecticidal fogging (Barnard, Brooks & Stork 1986) and on
a stem of Greater Reedmace Typha latifolia (Richards 1928).
Threats
None perceived, although if it is linked to Scots pine then the general scarcity of mature host trees is
considered likely to limit its distribution.
Etymology
A combination of the Latin fuscus = grey/dark coloured with the Latin penna = wing or feather, hence
dark (or dusky) wings.
Family OSMYLIDAE - the giant lacewings
This widely distributed family is represented by only two species in Europe. Of these, one is restricted
to the Caucasus region and the other is widely distributed throughout Western Europe, including
Britain and Ireland. The larvae live amongst damp mosses in the splash zone at the edge of rivers
and streams. Early instar larvae feed on mites and Collembola, though later instars are said to prefer
larvae of Diptera. The third instar larva overwinters and can survive total immersion.
The one British species is distinctive, and should not be confused with any other insect. It may be
most easily found in late June and July by searching under bridges or fallen trees during the daytime
for resting adults.
Osmylus fulvicephalus (Scopoli, 1763)
National status: Local (Common)
Predicted county status: Rare/Vulnerable
Distribution
Extremely local. There is an old record from the Colchester area dating from 1907. More recently,
however, this insect is known only from three locations around Chelmsford, to which area to which
192
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)