Heathrow conducts new survey of many of unusual inhabitants in time for Halloween
129 species of spider and 304 species of beetle found at the airport
2 new species of bat found.
Just in time for Halloween, Heathrow’s creepy crawly specialists have completed an analysis of the species that reside in and around the airport’s 30 hectare biodiversity site. This is the first time they have surveyed the spiders and beetles that make their home at the UK’s hub airport.
The study found 129 species of spider, 304 species of beetles were represented. There are currently five species of bat; Soprano Pipistrelle, Common Pipistrelle, Nathusius’ Pipistrelle, Noctule and Serotine. The latter two are new visitors to Heathrow.
Heathrow is home to a wealth of rare and ghoulish species of bats, spiders and insects as it sits on Thames Terrace Gravels, perfect nesting ground for creatures because of its soft, dry ground and south facing slopes which heat up on sunny days. This analysis aims to increase Heathrow’s understanding of the fauna in and around the airfield to help steer future management and protection of the species found.
Edward Milner, an arachnologist or “spiderman”, studied and counted new species of spiders in the Colne Valley area around Heathrow. Matt Smith, an Entomologist, looked at several groups of insects across the airport, principally at the aculeate hymenoptera - bees, wasps and ants. Adam Cheeseman, the residential ‘batman,’ has kept an eye on the bat boxes around the airport for new inhabitants.
Two spiders were also found for the first time in Middlesex: Mermessus trilobatus is a small Linyphiid recorded in UK for the first time early in 2013. This species has so far only been found at a few sites in the Thames gateway area, and at Mile End Park.
Xysticus acerbus is a scarce crab spider, not previously recorded in the London area; several specimens were found during this survey. Two other ‘Nationally Notable’ species were trapped: the rare Linyphiid Centromerus incilium and the scarce jumping spider Philaeus Chrysops.
The report is part of Heathrow’s commitment to helping run Heathrow responsibly. This includes ensuring the protection of wildlife and species in and around the airport.
Heathrow Airport retained the Biodiversity Benchmark Award for a third year in a row in 2012. The award from The Wildlife Trust recognises continual biodiversity improvement, and Heathrow remains the only airport to have reached the standard.
Notes to editors
Other unusual and interesting species found at Heathrow:
Emperor Dragonfly: One of the largest dragonflies in Britain, about 11cm long. Despite their historical reputation and nickname of ‘horse stingers’, dragonflies are harmless to people.
Red-shanked Carder Bee: This smaller version of the common Red-tailed Bumble is a scarce species, restricted to the south east, and is suffering a serious national decline. It has been found on our Colne Valley site. Later emerging than other species they are mainly active by May. They nest on, or just above, the ground making their nests out of mosses and grass clippings.
Stag Beetle: Britain’s largest beetle. Despite the fearsome appearance of the males’ jaws these insects are harmless. Whilst the grubs live in decaying wood underground for up to 7 years, they emerge only to live as adults for a few weeks. Restricted to just a few regions in Britain, the beetle has a hotspot around the Ashford, Middlesex area.
Volucella zonaria: Our largest species of hoverfly, this is an excellent mimic and can be quite easily mistaken for a Hornet when seen in flight due to its size (c.2cm long), stripes and brown thorax. Quite a scarce species restricted to the south it can often be found nectaring on flowers in urban areas.
Common Blue butterfly: One of our commonest grassland species the Common Blue has a fascinating life cycle. The caterpillars feed on various wild members of the pea family, most notably Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil. The small green caterpillars hibernate over winter as half grown larvae and are attractive to ants. The ants often take the caterpillars into their nests and tend them. Whilst in the nest the caterpillar excretes a sugary substance called honeydew that the ants love.
Methodology
This report results from a 12-month study period (August 2012 to August 2013) alongside comparison of samples from sites elsewhere in the London area.
Techniques include:
Pitfall trapping
Standard pitfall traps (75mm diameter) set in trios within a 1m circle at each site. Cut down traps (reduced to a depth of about 5cm) andin some places ‘minipots’ (35mm film canisters) were used.
Sweepnetting
Tall herbs on the landfill areas and the riverside vegetation (where accessible) were swept on several occasions. Over twenty web-spinning spiders (species) and above-ground hunters were recorded.
