LESSER SILVER WATER BEETLE (HYDROCHARA CARABOIDES)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Action Completed! Action Completed! Action Completed! Action Completed! ACTION COMPLETED IN 2005

1. An Environment Agency funded survey by Andy Harmer of likely ponds resulted in twenty being surveyed. Of these, eleven showed evidence of the beetle. Ten ponds had breeding evidence (cocoons or larvae). This brings the number of known breeding ponds up to 34.
2. A leaflet is being designed for the public and farmers alike, hopefully to be launched next spring.
3. A Hydrochara caraboides training day is being arranged for next spring.
4. A display regarding the 'Cheshire HC' was taken down to the Royal Entomological Society (coleoptera day) in London and it was received well.
5. BASC reported multiple possible sites, found via their membership, for this species. An ecologist will now be required to confirm presence of the beetle. They also reported breeding evidence for Great Crested Newts at 3 of the sites.

Action Completed! Action Completed! Action Completed! Action Completed!

OBJECTIVES

To determine the range and size of the population and to promote and practice relevant habitat management

NATIONAL TARGETS

Maintain viable populations within the Somerset Moors and the Cheshire Plain.

LOCAL TARGETS

Targets awaited

CURRENT STATUS

The lesser silver water beetle is known to be present at several localities in the Cheshire region. Since the discovery of an adult in a Cheshire pond in 1990, nine known breeding ponds have been identified. It is considered that these may be the only known breeding sites of this species outside the Somerset Levels (Kirby, 1994). Habitat preferences include ditches, ponds and small standing water bodies (Kirby, 1994).

The lesser silver water beetle is listed as Endangered in the Red Data Book of Insects (Shirt 1987). The beetle is included in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and included on the middle list of the Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. A national Biodiversity Action Plan is included in the UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans Volume IV - invertebrates (1999).

THREATS

• Disturbance to habitat, e.g. inappropriate pond clearance.
• Habitat degradation, e.g. eutrophication due to agricultural runoff.
• Infilling of ponds.
• Introduction of fish to ponds.
• Inappropriate development. For example, it has been reported that a new owner at Brookhouse Farm has replaced cattle with sheep and put in new drainage. These measures could adversely affect the suitability of the pond for Hydrochara.

CURRENT ACTION

• Continued monitoring of existing sites.
• Records held by rECOrd.
  
  

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

• Form a Local BAP Action Group for the lesser silver water beetle (Hydrochara caraboides).
• Form links with the Ponds, Floodplain grazing marsh and Great Crested Newt LBAP groups
• Establish presence and range.
• Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to record for the incorporation into national and international databases.
• Research into the ecological and habitat requirements of the species with particular emphasis on the limiting factors associated with breeding.
• Increase awareness of the importance of this species.
• Promote appropriate pond management, minimise disturbance to habitat, maintain and encourage marginal and host-specific vegetation.
• Create new ponds in areas of suitable habitat.
• Raise awareness of the ecological implications of collecting.
• Hold training event for surveyors.
• Address the requirements of this species in the LEAP process and in relevant Water Level Management Plans.
• Consider the notification of sites holding key populations as SSSIs, where this is necessary to secure their long-term protection and appropriate management.
• Ensure that the habitat requirements of Hyrochara caraboides are taken into account in any relevant development polices, plans and proposals.
• Establish a regular monitoring program.
• Where possible, ensure that all occupied habitat is appropriately managed. This may be through SSSI or agri-environment scheme management agreements.
• Advise landowners and managers of the presence of this species and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation.
• Ensure that all relevant agri-environment project officers, and members of regional agri-environment consultation groups are advised of locations of this species, its importance, and the management needed for its conservation.
  
  

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

• Pond Life Survey completed.
• Survey of the lesser silver water beetle Hyrochara caraboides in Cheshire completed by Jonathan Guest EN (1996).
• Targeted pond management works for this species undertaken at Brookhouse Farm.
• Survey undertaken in Summer 2002 on behalf of Babtie/Mowlem of a pond to be lost to the A500 Shavington - Hough Bypass. No larvae or adults found. New ponds created.
• LSWB breeding pond retained as part of housing development in the Crewe and Nantwich area.
• Environment Agency training day held.

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

CONTACT

Andy Harmer
01928 735847

REFERENCES

Foster, G.N. & Eyre, M.D. (1992): Classification and Ranking of Water Beetle Communities, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Guest, J. (1995): Critical Pond Biodiversity Survey, PondLife Project.
Guest, J. (1997): English Nature Research Report No. 248: 1996 Survey of the lesser silver water beetle (Hydrochara caraboides) in Cheshire, English Nature.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
Hyman, P. & Parsons, M. (1994): A Review of the Scarce and Threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain, Part 1 UK Nature Conservation:3, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Kirby, P. (1992): Habitat Management for Invertebrates: A Practical Handbook, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Liverpool Museum - Recorder information.
Kirby, P. (1994): Habitat Fragmentation: species at risk. Invertebrate group identification. English Nature Research Report No. 89, Peterborough.
Parsons, M. (1987): Invertebrate Site Register: Review of Invertebrate Sites in England: Cheshire, Report no. 95, part 1&2. Nature Conservancy Council.
Shirt, D.B. (Ed.) (1987): British Red Data Books: 2. Insects. Nature Conservancy Council.
English Nature (1999). UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans Volume IV - invertebrates.
D C Boyce. A study of the distribution and ecology of the lesser silver water beetle Hydrochara caraboides on the Somerset Levels. English Nature Report No. 591

Date compiled - 1997
Date reviewed - 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005

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