Beaulieu Dung Beetle

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A targeted search and habitat assessment for the Nationally Rare Beaulieu Dung Beetle Liothorax niger was undertaken in June 2023 at twelve wetland sites in the New Forest, South Hampshire (Vice County 11) selected by Natural England, with further sites added based upon recommendations in the 2022 survey report. In addition to these sites the target species was found at Burley Rocks and Sway marl pits.

The project brief was as follows:

• Description of methods.
• Description of habitat suitability, vegetation cover and structure within each survey site.
• Record of where each species was present and absent during the field survey.
• The location and extent of each identified site and/or meta-population mapped and presented in ARC GIS shapefile and pdf maps at the 1:10000 scale.
• Identify other suitable habitat nearby.
• Notes on competing species if present.
• Estimation of size of each meta-population.
• Assessment of the current status of the population of each species within the New Forest.
• A discussion of the threats and risks to the populations of each species around the New Forest is to be provided in the write-up.

The selected sites were visited on the 12th, 13th, 14th & 23rd June 2023 by two experienced invertebrate ecologists, Scotty Dodd MSc MCIEEM MRES and Dr. Jonty Denton Bsc (Hons) FRES FLS CEcol MCIEEM. Dr Denton is also the County Recorder for Coleoptera (beetles) for Hampshire (VC11 & VC12).

The Beaulieu Dung Beetle Liothorax niger was recorded at three of the selected sites visited in 2023: Balmer Lawn, Long Pond and Windmill Hill Pond. Additionally the target species was also detected at Sway marl pits and Burley Rocks. As in 2022 some sites were dry by the time of survey. It is recommended that the drier sites are re-visited in April and May 2024, when the features are highly likely to be wet and accumulated debris and litter more likely post winter flooding etc.

This report should be cited as: Dodd, S.G. & Denton, J.S. (2023). Targeted Survey and Habitat Assessment for the Beaulieu Dung Beetle (Liothorax niger) at Selected Wetland Sites in the New Forest. Forestry England Beaulieu Dung Beetle Project (New Forest) Report. Project No. 4060-A.

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

A targeted search and habitat assessment for the Nationally Rare Beaulieu Dung Beetle Liothorax niger at twelve wetland sites in the New Forest, South Hampshire (Vice County 11), was commissioned by Forestry England via Surrey Wildlife Trust Ecology Services.

The Beaulieu Dung Beetle Liothorax niger (Illiger, 1798) [synonyms: Aphodius niger (Panzer, 1797)], (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), is globally a very widespread Palaearctic species occurring throughout Europe (except for the north of Fennoscandia and southern areas of the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas). It is present on most of the Mediterranean islands, but not in North Africa, and extends east through Asia Minor and Russia to the far east of Asia and China. In northern Europe, where it is considered to be very localised and rare, there has been a perceived decline through the C20th with few modern records, e.g. in Poland. In the UK it is locally common across South Hampshire (VC11), especially in the New Forest which is considered to be a historical stronghold for the species, although there are accepted historic records from Dorset (VC9). The species was also recently found in Berkshire (VC22) in 2010 (Mann & Garvey, 2014) and it seems plausible that there is the potential for further records from central southern England.

Within the New Forest Balmer Lawn, near Brockenhurst, was considered to be the historic stronghold, or at least the location that collectors descended upon to obtain a specimen. However, Mann & Garvey (2014) in their review of records for the New Forest considered the species to be widespread across the area, with confirmed post-2000 data for six hectads.

In Britain the species was regarded as Endangered (Red Data Book 1) by Shirt (1987) [Note: As Aphodius (Nialus) niger] who gave the locality of Brockenhurst area of New Forest and the banks of a pond at Brockenhurst in 1909, but also cites historic records from Balmer Lawn by A.M. Massee in 1931 and 1938. The subsequent review by Hyman & Parsons (1992) retains the RDB1 (Endangered) status applied by Shirt (1987), adding “currently known from only one pond in the New Forest”. Lane & Mann (2016) in their IUCN review of the group consider the species to be of Least Concern (LC) in the broader Global context, but apply a revised status of Nationally Rare (NR) in the British context, reflecting the more widespread distribution within and without the New Forest shown by Mann & Garvey (2014).

In terms of species ecology, Shirt (1987) makes the most simplistic observation that the species is to be found in mud at the sides of ponds frequented by cattle and horses. Hyman & Parsons (1992) add pond and ditch margins, feeding on decaying matter in damp soils and mud at the sides of ponds that have been frequented by cattle and horses. They also cite records from grass tussocks under or adjacent to dung on wet mud and under sods on the bed of the pond when it had dried out.

Mann & Garvey (2014) describe Liothorax niger as not an obligate dung-associated species, rather it is a stenotopic, saprophagous species found almost exclusively in open areas around temporary or permanent pools and ditch margins. However, they do note that the species does likely benefit from the humus-rich soils contributed to by dunging and might therefore be adversely impacted by the use of endectocides applied to livestock. They describe the habitats as in soil, under flood debris, in leaf litter and under algal mats near water. In terms of phenology the species has been recorded from January to November, with most records between April and June (with the exception of a data bias from July 1999 when the New Forest Life Project occurred).

PROJECT AIMS

The project brief was as follows:

• Description of methods.
• Description of habitat suitability, vegetation cover and structure within each survey site.
• Record of where each species was present and absent during the field survey.
• The location and extent of each identified site and/or meta-population mapped and presented in ARC GIS shapefile and pdf maps at the 1:10000 scale.
• Identify other suitable habitat nearby.
• Notes on competing species if present.
• Estimation of size of each meta-population.
• Assessment of the current status of the population of each species within the New Forest.
• A discussion of the threats and risks to the populations of each species around the New Forest is to be provided in the write-up.

SAMPLING COMPARTMENTS

12th June 2023

• Long Pond – SU 1993 0216
• *Burley Rocks – SU 2274 0342

13th June 2023

• Balmer Lawn – SU 3060 0350
• Butts Lawn – SU 3006 0298
• Standing Hat – SU 3133 0365
• Vinney Ridge – SU 2606 0578
• Dame’s Slough – SU 2537 0483
• Markway Inclosure (Duckhole Bog) – SU 2449 0227
• Whitemoor Pond – SU 2778 0245

14th June 2023

• Three Beech Ponds – SZ 2932 9998
• Millyford car park – SU 2678 0788
• Mogshade Hill – SU 2374 0973
• *Sway marl pits – SZ 2850 9971 & SZ 2855 9970

23rd June 2023

• Windmill Hill Pond – SU 1823 1285

* Additional sites initially selected for New Forest Mud Beetle Helophorus laticollis where Liothorax niger was found to be present.

METHODOLOGY

SAMPLING WITHIN THE COMPARTMENTS

The following search methods were implemented:

• Hand searching in and under dung using nitrile gloves.
• Hand searching in and under litter and debris.
• Bank splashing where water present.
• Floating out dung where water present.
• Puddling moss and litter where water present.

SITE VISITS

The selected sites were visited on the 12th, 13th, 14th & 23rd June 2023 by two experienced invertebrate ecologists, Scotty Dodd MSc MCIEEM MRES and Dr. Jonty Denton Bsc (Hons) FRES FLS CEcol MCIEEM.

CONSTRAINTS

Due to site conditions some of the sites had dried out prior to the surveys being undertaken.

RESULTS

Long Pond

A single Liothorax niger was found at the eastern end of the northern shore by bank splashing, i.e. localised flooding of bare mud / dung at pond edges to float out any beetles present.

The north shore is predominantly bare mud with signs of dunging and poaching. The south shore is less poached and largely vegetated, predominantly with Marsh St. John’s-wort Hypericum elodes, Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula, Shoreweed Littorella uniflora and invasive New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassulla helmsii. Note that where Shoreweed dominates it tends to outcompete the invasive Crassula. Other plants noted include Pillwort Pilularia globulifera, Water-purslane Lythrum portula, Water-plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lesser Water-plantain Baldellia ranunculoides, White Water-lily Nymphaea alba, Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella and Common Spike-rush Eleocharis palustris. The surrounding habitat is typical wet / humid heath transitioning to drier Ling Calluna vulgaris dominated heath.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	Status
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Hydroglyphus geminus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Hydroporus pubescens	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Hygrotus impressopunctatus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Ilybius montanus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Histeridae	Hister unicolor	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Cercyon unipunctatus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Helochares punctatus	a water beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Noteridae	Noterus clavicornis	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Scarabaeidae	Calamosternus granarius	a dung beetle
Coleoptera	Scarabaeidae	Otophorus haemorrhoidalis	a dung beetle
Coleoptera	Scarabaeidae	Liothorax niger	Beaulieu Dung Beetle	NR
Coleoptera	Scarabaeidae	Teuchestes fossor	a dung beetle
Coleoptera	Staphylinidae	Ontholestes murinus	a rove beetle
Diptera	Hippoboscidae	Hippobosca equina	New Forest Fly	[RDBK]
Hymenoptera	Tenthredinidae	Selandria serva	a sawfly

Photograph 1. Long Pond north shore with bare mud and trampled dung. Liothorax niger was bank splashed from this habitat at eastern end.

Photograph 2. Long Pond south shore, vegetated with signs of occasional poaching and dunging.

Vinney Ridge

No Liothorax niger found. Suitable habitat is limited to a Sphagnum flush in a humid to wet heath area along a woodland edge, including a flush running parallel and adjacent to the road. As in 2022 at the time of survey the flush was very dry with little fresh dung present.

Botanically the area was typical wet / humid heath comprising Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea. Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix and Ling Calluna vulgaris. The flush itself comprised Sphagnum sp., Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella and Tormentil Potentilla erecta.

Methods: Direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted: None.

Photograph 3. Humid heathland at Vinney Ridge.

Photograph 4. Sphagnum flush and wet heath at Vinney Ridge.

Dame’s Slough (Blackwater Bridge)

No Liothorax niger found. Dame’s Slough is a stream edge with semi-shaded marshy ground transitioning into wet woodland. The woodland flush and stream edges supported Water Mint Mentha aquatica, Gipsywort Lycopus europaeus, Marsh Bedstraw Galium palustre, Self-heal Prunella vulgaris, Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula Yellow Pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum, Trailing St. John’s-wort Hypericum humifusum and a small number of Lesser Water-plantain Baldellia ranunculoides. Graminoids were present but were not identified to species. Signs of livestock passing through were minimal with very little poaching or fresh dunging. As in 2022 the woodland flush was largely dry.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	National Status
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Bembidion dentellum	A ground beetle
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Paranchus albipes	A ground beetle
Coleoptera	Dryopidae	Dryops luridus	A water beetle
Heteroptera	Veliidae	Velia caprai	Water-cricket
Hymenoptera	Formicidae	Myrmica ruginodis	an ant
Isopoda	Porcellionidae	Porcellio scaber	Common Rough Woodlouse
Odonata	Calopterygidae	Calopteryx virgo	Beautiful Demoiselle
Orthoptera	Tetrigidae	Tetrix subulata	Slender Ground Hopper	Local

Photograph 5. Stream edge and woodland flush at Dame’s Slough, Blackwater Bridge.

Markway Inclosure (Duckhole Bog)

No Liothorax niger found but habitat optimal with ponds still holding water and evidence of regular access by ponies and cattle.

The two ponds present had areas of bare mud with signs of dunging and poaching. Surrounding vegetation was predominantly Marsh St. John’s-wort Hypericum elodes, Bog Pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius, Soft Rush Juncus effusus, Tormentil Potentilla erecta, Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia, Sphagnum sp., Bog Myrtle Myrica gale, Bog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum, Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix and a cotton-grass Eriophorum sp.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	Status
Araneae	Araneidae	Neoscona adianta	a spider
Araneae	Theridiidae	Lasaeola tristis	a spider	NS
Auchenorrhyncha	Cixiidae	Pentastiridius leporinus	a lacehopper	[Nb]
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Stenolophus teutonus	a ground beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Chrysomelidae	Cryptocephalus labiatus	a pot beetle
Coleoptera	Curculionidae	Micrelus ericae	Small Heather Weevil
Hymenoptera	Formicidae	Formica picea	Black Bog ant	S41; RDB1
Odonata	Coenagriidae	Ceriagrion tenellum	Small Red Damselfly

Photograph 6. Duckhole Bog and ponds at Markway Inclosure.

Photograph 7. Pond at Duckhole Bog, Markway Inclosure with poached edges.

Mogshade Hill

No Liothorax niger found and as in 2022 pond completely dry, no fresh dung present. The dry pond is situated in an area of typical dry heathland. The pond bottom supported locally abundant patches of Shoreweed Littorella uniflora.

Methods: Direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	Status
Lepidoptera	Erebidae	Diacrisia sannio	Clouded Buff

Photograph 8. Dry pond at Mogshade Hill with abundant Shoreweed.

Balmer Lawn

Two Liothorax niger found along the ditch-line at SU 3090 0341. The ditch was mainly dry but holding small amounts of water near the crossing points. The pond area was heavily poached by livestock but still holding some water.

Plants noted include Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula, Hampshire-purslane Ludwigia palustris, Marsh St. John’s-wort Hypericum elodes, Pillwort Pilularia globulifera, Petty Whin Genista anglica and New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii.

Methods: Direct searching of dung, puddling, bank splashing.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	Status
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Agonum marginatum	a ground beetle
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Stenolophus teutonus	a ground beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Agabus bipustulatus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Graptodytes flavipes	a water beetle	VU
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Hygrotus impressopunctatus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Ilybius montanus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrochidae	Hydrochus angustatus	a water beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Anacaena lutescens	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Cercyon unipunctatus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Helochares punctatus	a water beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Scarabaeidae	Liothorax niger	Beaulieu Dung Beetle	S41; NR
Heteroptera	Corixidae	Hesperocorixa sahlbergi	an aquatic bug

Photograph 9. The pond at Balmer Lawn in June still holding some water. Note extensive livestock trampling.

Photograph 10. The ditch at Balmer Lawn with crossing points still holding small amounts of water.

Standing Hat

No Liothorax niger found but habitat is optimal. The pond was drying but still holding water centrally, as in 2022, with a layer of Sphagnum spp. moss, Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata, Bog Pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius, Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella and a central stand of willow Salix scrub. The rare and globally Near Threatened Medicinal Leech Hirudo medicinalis is still present in good numbers. The pond once again supported an exceptional assemblage of rare and notable invertebrates, including the S41 / VU Mud Pond Snail Omphiscola glabra.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	Status
Araneae	Hahniidae	Antistea elegans	a spider
Araneae	Lycosidae	Piratula uliginosa	a spider
Araneae	Pisauridae	Dolomedes fimbriatus	Raft Spider	NS
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Stenolophus mixtus	a ground beetle
Coleoptera	Dryopidae	Dryops striatellus	a water beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Ilybius montanus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Dytiscidae	Liopterus haemorrhoidalis	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Haliplidae	Haliplus variegatus	a water beetle	VU
Coleoptera	Helophoridae	Helophorus flavipes	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Anacaena limbata	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Coelostoma orbiculare	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Helochares lividus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Laccobius bipunctatus	a water beetle
Coleoptera	Hydrophilidae	Paracymus scutellaris	a water beetle	NS
Coleoptera	Scirtidae	Cyphon hilaris	a marsh beetle
Coleoptera	Staphylinidae	Myllaena brevicornis	a rove beetle
Coleoptera	Staphylinidae	Paederus caligatus	a rove beetle	[RDB3]
Coleoptera	Staphylinidae	Stenus fornicatus	a rove beetle	[Nb]
Heteroptera	Corixidae	Corixa panzeri	an aquatic bug
Heteroptera	Hebridae	Hebrus pusillus	an aquatic bug	[Nb]
Heteroptera	Hebridae	Hebrus ruficeps	an aquatic bug
Pulmonata	Lymnaeidae	Omphiscola glabra	Mud Pond Snail	S41; VU
Pulmonata	Planorbidae	Planorbarius corneus	Great Ram's-horn

Photograph 11. Pond at standing Hat.

Photograph 12. The Vulnerable Mud Pond Snail Omphiscola glabra, another rarity at Standing Hat.

Butts Lawn

No Liothorax niger found but some potential habitat present at stream edges. The lawn itself was very dry. The stony bottomed stream supported exposed sediment and a small area of marshy grassland with frequent Lesser Spearwort Rannunculus flammula. Mid-stream was a large raft of Water-crowfoot Ranunculus subgenus Batrachium. A poached ford with small amounts of relatively fresh dung was noted.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	National Status
Coleoptera	Staphylinidae	Paederus caligatus	A rove beetle	[RDB3]
Diptera	Dolichopodidae	Poecilobothrus nobilitatus	A fly
Heteroptera	Veliidae	Velia caprai	Water-cricket
Odonata	Calopterygidae	Calopteryx virgo	Beautiful Demoiselle
Odonata	Cordulegasteridae	Cordulegaster boltonii	Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Photograph 13. Stream at Butts Lawn.

Whitemoor Pond

No Liothorax niger found, habitat has some potential but is quite shaded by overhanging trees and shrubs. The pond still holding some water but drawing down. A reasonable amount of dung was trampled into the muddy drawdown zone and cattle were present resting in the shade adjacent to the pond. No marginal or emergent vegetation was present.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	National Status
Diptera	Dolichopodidae	Poecilobothrus nobilitatus	A fly
Heteroptera	Corixidae	Hesperocorixa sahlbergi	An aquatic bug

Photograph 14. Poached muddy edges of receding pond with scattered dung.

Millyford car park

No Liothorax niger found. There were no wet pools in the grassland areas near the car park. The shaded stream had areas of exposed sediment and abundant winter spate flood debris which was searched. The exposed sediment was unvegetated and showed some evidence of livestock poaching and occasional dunging.

Methods: Bank splashing, floating out, puddling, direct searching of dung.

Other invertebrates noted:

Order	Family	Taxon	Vernacular	Status
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Bembidion dentellum	a ground beetle
Coleoptera	Carabidae	Paranchus albipes	a ground beetle
Coleoptera	Scirtidae	Cyphon palustris	a marsh beetle
Coleoptera	Staphylinidae	Myllaena elongata	a rove beetle	[N]
Heteroptera	Gerridae	Aquarius najas	River Skater
Heteroptera	Hydrometridae	Hydrometra stagnorum	Water Measurer

Photograph 15. Showing exposed sediment and flood debris.