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This entry marks the third of a series of updates documenting freshwater invertebrates as part of a broader initiative in biological recording across various sites in Northern Ireland. Beyond serving as a blog post, these journals will provide an ongoing log of species observations and their specific locations.
The project is kindly funded through Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) with a permit issued through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for specific access to sample and photograph species in ASSI’s – Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
River Cusher - Tandragee
An session was carried out at the River Cusher on at the below location:
Notes
Compared to Brackagh Bog, a significantly higher number of both cased and uncased Trichoptera larvae were observed at this site, despite Brackagh Bog frequently attracting a diverse range of adult specimens to light traps.
This visit also marked the first recorded presence of a mayfly larva within the project; efforts to identify the species are ongoing.
Brown Trout were abundant in a range of sizes and developmental stages, including a notable four-inch individual found during rock netting.
Species
- Trichoptera - Caddisflies
- Mystacides sp. - one specimen of larva stage in case - verified by Ian Wallace (FBA)
- Rhyacophila dorsalis - one specimen of free swimming larva stage - verified by Ian Wallace (FBA)
- Coleoptera - Beetles
- Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus - 4 specimens imago - verified by Brian Nelson
- Ephemeroptera - Mayflies
- Serratella ignita - one specimen larva stage under stones - unverified as yet
- Gastropoda - Freshwater Molluscs
- Planorbarius corneus - Great Ramshorn Snail - one specimen - unverified as yet
- Radix auricularia - Wandering Pond Snail - 3 specimens, one with egg sac - unverified as yet
Rhyacophila dorsalis larva
Mystacides sp. in it's case
Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus
Probable Serratella ignita
Great Ramshorn Snail - Planorbarius corneus
Radix auricularia
