WHITE-FACED DARTER (Leucorrhinia dubia)

WHITE-FACED DARTER (LEUCORRHINIA DUBIA)

LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Ecology

The white-faced darter is a small, dark dragonfly with characteristic pale creamy white frons that gives it its name. The male is mainly black with red and orange stripes and lateral markings on the dorsal and lateral segments and on the thorax. Females and tenneral males are also predominantly black but have pale yellow thoracic and abdominal markings. The larvae are identified by the presence of dark stripes on the underside of the abdomen. The white-faced darter is a species of lowland peatbogs and needs areas with rafts of sphagnum moss at the edges of oligotrophic, acidic bog pools in order to breed.

Current Status

In the United Kingdom this species has declined over the last 35 years. It has a disjunct distribution from Scotland to Surrey, occurring in only 30 10km squares between 1975 and 1990. Since then it has probably become extinct at least one of these sites. In the Cheshire region it has been recorded in Delamere Forest at three sites, Gull Pool, Abbott's Moss CWT Reserve and the Lily Pond in the Delamere Scout Camp although it is now believed extinct. The declining population at Black Lake could also now be extinct, with no records forthcoming of adults, larva or exuvia in since 1998. Monitoring at these sites is ongoing. If you think you may have seen a white-faced darter in the Cheshire region please download a recording card: Vale Royal Borough Council White-faced Darter Species Recording card

Nationally declines are attributable to loss of habitat through scrub encroachment, pollution, increases in pH levels and damage to habitat through visitor pressure. Actions to improve habitat conditions for the white-faced darter are incorporated in the habitat action plans for Lowland Raised Bog and Meres.

References & Glossary

Gabb R & Kitching D (1992): The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Cheshire. Liverpool Museum and Galleries
Hill PM & Twist C (1996): Butterflies and Dragonflies a Site Guide. Arlequin Press, Chelmsford
Hill PM (1999): White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) 1998 Survey Report. Cheshire Region Odonata LBAP AG.
Hammond CO (1985): Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Harley Books, Colchester
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. Volume I: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. Volume 2: Action Plans, London
Merritt R (1996): The Atlas of Dragonflies of the UK. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology