Pollinator Survey 2023
Hooklands Farm in West Sussex consists of a series of unimproved meadows, woodland, scrub, and ponds. A survey was undertaken at Hooklands Farm during the summer of 2023 to gather data on the pollinating insects using the site as well as other invertebrate species if encountered in the field. Four meadows, an area of woodland, and vegetation surrounding a pond were chosen for surveying.
Five visits were made to the site and on each visit 45 minutes was spent in each compartment, though the order in which the compartments were surveyed differed on each occasion. The methods used during the survey included sweeping of the vegetation and direct observation of flowering plants.
201 species were recorded over all visits, of which 7 had some sort of conservation status. Diptera (Flies) were the most abundant with 78 species recorded, followed by Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths) with 50 species and then Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps & Ants) with 34 species recorded, though this probably reflects the authors interests and expertise in different orders. Further surveys would undoubtedly record more species and if there is provision to repeat this in the future, is recommended.
Some of the highlights included the micro moth Saw-wort Tortrix (Eucosma parvulana), possibly a new record for West Sussex, found close to its larval foodplant, Saw-wort, in Compartment 2. Clouded Yarrow Fly (Oxyna flavipennis), a scarce species of Tephritid fly that feeds on Yarrow, was also found in Compartment 2. The butterfly Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) was seen just once in Compartment 2 and the Golden-tabbed Robberfly (Eutolmus rufibarbis) was swept from the grassland in Compartment 5.