New Caddisfly species to the UK discovered

A caddisfly species has been found for the first time in the UK

January 2011. The insect, discovered by Stuart Crofts, was found near a small stream flowing through woodland near Masham, North Yorkshire. The last time a new species of caddisfly was found in the UK was in 1965. 

Pollution sensitive insects
Caddisflies are fascinating, spending the majority of their life as larvae in freshwater before emerging as adult flies. They are pollution sensitive insects and commonly used as a litmus test for the health of the environment.  They help support healthy bird and fish populations as they provide an important food source and they are often imitated by fly-fishermen in their artificial flies to catch fish.

Synagapetus dubitans, is a small caddisfly of around 5mm. "I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I identified it" said Stuart Crofts, a former international fly fisherman and Coordinator of the Adult Caddisfly Occurrence Scheme. "To find a species new to the UK is amazing, a great honour and very humbling experience".

"The discovery of a new species of caddisfly in the UK is fantastic news." said Craig Macadam, Conservation Officer with Buglife. "Springs and seepages in woodlands can be very important habitats.  Now that we know this species is here we can help to protect its habitat."

Synagapetus dubitans is more commonly found in central Europe

Courtesy of The Riverfly Partnership, Riverfly Recording Schemes and Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust