Endangered insect found

A rare and endangered species of fly has been spotted at a Midlands beauty spot and wildlife groups have joined the race to help preserve it.

The Hornet Robberfly, also known as the Asilus Crabroniformis, is dying out at its natural habitats across Britian. The decline is blamed on internal pesticides given to cattle.

The chemicals affect the manure they produce, making it abhorrent to the fly and its prey, dung beetles.

The fly is so rare it has been given priority status in the national Biodiversity Action Plan.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has now confirmed a sighting of the fly around Kinver, near Stourbridge.

The group is hoping to establish any other sightings of the Robberfly and help work with landowners to help safeguard.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust spokesman, Andy Jukes, who is also chairman of Staffordshire Invertebrate Group, said: "This is exciting news for us and we are keen to confirm any other sightings in the areas.

"The Hornet Robberfly catches other insects on the wing like a hawk using dung piles as perches and is mainly associated with pony and cattle grazed pastures.

"South Staffordshire is noted for having a lot of pony pasture so this could be an important area for the fly."

The fly looks like a hornet without the sting and it feeds on large insects like grasshoppers and beetles.

It is very large, up to 28mm long and is long-bodied, looking very different from the typical bulbous-shaped flies such as houseflies. It in brown with conspicuous bright yellow markings on the abdomen.

Mr Jukes said: "Photographs are always a good way of recording a possible sighting but any information about the Robberfly, with or without photographs, would be gratefully received."

Contact Andy via email on a.jukes@staffs-wildlife.org.uk or on 01889 880100.

By Ben Lammas