Northern Yellow Splinter (Lipsothrix errans)
Key Details
| Taxonomic Groups: | Invertebrate > insect - true fly (Diptera) > Fly |
| Red List Status: | (Not Relevant) [(not listed)(nr)] |
| D5 Status: | |
| Section 41 Status: | (not listed) |
| Taxa Included Synonym: | (none) |
| UKSI Recommended Name: | Lipsothrix errans |
| UKSI Recommended Authority: | (Walker, 1848) |
| UKSI Recommended Qualifier: | (none specified) |
| Red List Citation: | (not listed) |
| Notes on taxonomy/listing: | (none) |
Criteria
| Question 1: | Does species need conservation or recovery in England? |
| Response: | Yes |
| Justification: | Six records in the past ten years, however, the species was recorded multiple times in 2000 when a survey was carried out for L. nobilis in the Telford area. Detailed habitat descriptions and locations are given, see Godfrey, A., 2000a and 2000b. |
| Question 2: | Does recovery/ conservation depend on species-specific actions? |
| Response: | Yes |
| Justification: | Associated with rotten timber in or close to streams in low altitude woodlands, as with L. nervosa and L. nobilis. Approaches aimed at preserving/protecting this specific habitat will be necessary to maintain populations. |
| Question 3: | At a landscape scale, would the species benefit from untargeted habitat management to increase habitat mosaics, structural diversity, or particular successional stages? |
| Response: | Yes |
| Justification: | Coarse woody material in streams is utilised by many different invertebrates either as food, for hunting or for shelter; protecting this resource on a large scale throughout stream and small river systems would be positive for many different species and Orders. The rise of beavers in the landscape greatly aids these Lipsothrix craneflies. |
Species Assessment
| Current step on the Species Recovery Curve (SRC): | 5. Remedial action identified |
| Recovery potential/expectation: | Medium-high |
| National Monitoring Resource: | Combination - insufficient |
| Species Comments: | The spike in records when sites were surveyed for the genus specifically may indicate that the species is more abundant than the general picture would indicate. In the 2000 Shropshire survey it was stated that the species is more sporadic in occurrence than other members of the genus. The flight period also differs in being later (May-July) than L. nobilis (May). As with the other Lipsothrix species the habitat requirements are known in general, so surveying suitable sites away from the main clusters may be worthwhile to see if the distribution is greater than currently known. Potential 4th action suggestion around a wider action of reviewing beaver dams and their fit against niches used by Lipsothrix craneflies, as they are a strong driver towards adding wet timber back into the landscape. |
Key Actions
Key Action 1
Proposed Action: Tailored surveys of potential habitat in known or potential habitat localities to determine the populations and species distribution, thus identifying areas where L. errans is present.
Action targets: 3. National Monitoring Plan agreed and implemented
Action type: Targeted monitoring
Duration: 2 years
Scale of Implementation: ≤ 50 sites
High priority sites: Shropshire, sites to West and Southwest of Telford. See Godfrey, A., 2000a. Survey for the cranefly Lipsothrix nigristigma. for previously surveyed sites and potential new ones (see English Nature report (2001) https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/211720). Also recent records from; Herefordshire, Pentaloe Brook flush (SO586377), Westmorland, (NY31370632), Cheshire, Gatley Carrs (SJ8488), Staffordshire, Trickle Ridge (SK00574836) Dimminsdale, (SK054428)
Comments: To establish if populations are still present, if so then targeted actions can be put in place. The action needs to be done in concert with the EA and tied firmly to flood control through moderating river flow. It stands a better chance of happening if pursued through this route.
Key Action 2
Proposed Action: Advice to landowners/managers on conserving the habitat required by this species
Action targets: 5. Remedial action identified
Action type: Advice & support
Duration: Unknown
Scale of Implementation: ≤ 50 sites
High priority sites: Shropshire, sites to West and Southwest of Telford. See Godfrey, A., 2000a. Survey for the cranefly Lipsothrix nigristigma. for previously surveyed sites and potential new ones https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/211720 English Nature. Also recent records from; Herefordshire, Pentaloe Brook flush (SO586377), Westmorland, (NY31370632), Cheshire, Gatley Carrs (SJ8488), Staffordshire, Trickle Ridge (SK00574836) Dimminsdale, (SK054428)
Comments: Focussed around any specifics found by previous studies and the importance of retaining wet, anchored, coarse woody debris
Key Action 3
Proposed Action: Advice and support for local landowners, farmers and agency staff.
Action targets: 4. Autecology and pressures understood
Action type: Landscape/catchment/marine management
Duration: >10 years
Scale of Implementation: ≤ 50 sites
High priority sites: Shropshire, sites to West and Southwest of Telford. See Godfrey, A., 2000a. Survey for the cranefly Lipsothrix nigristigma. for previously surveyed sites and potential new ones https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/211720 English Nature. Also recent records from; Herefordshire, Pentaloe Brook flush (SO586377), Westmorland, (NY31370632), Cheshire, Gatley Carrs (SJ8488), Staffordshire, Trickle Ridge (SK00574836) Dimminsdale, (SK054428) if these are found to support extant populations.
Comments: Liaising with local landowners and farmers in relation to water abstraction, slurry, run-off, cattle drinks and potential of ingress by avermectins and other harmful chemicals that may kill larvae or make areas uninhabitable.
Acknowledgment:
Data used on this website are adapted from Threatened species recovery actions 2025 baseline (JP065): Technical report and spreadsheet user guide (Natural England, 2025). Available here.