Inspecting the insect (From Gazette & Herald)

Inspecting the insect

A RETIRED banker whose life is dedicated to studying, rather than swatting, flies is to step up monitoring one of England's rarest insects, found only in 8,600-acre Dalby Forest, near Pickering.

Rejoicing in the Latin name Odontomyia hydrolean, the species was first detected in the late 1980s around one of the woodland's limestone-rich wet areas.

Since then it has retained a tenuous grip on existence and is the only established colony known anywhere in England. One other colony exists in Wales.

Roy Crossley, from Wilberfoss, near York, using Forestry Commission wildlife study grants, has been delving into the creature's habitats and is now extending his search to other areas of the forest where it may exist.

"It's a member of a family known as 'soldier flies', on account of its bright appearance, like a smart old-fashioned military uniform," said Roy.

"It really is a handsome beast, with black and green markings. Until it was discovered in Dalby, the species had basically been written off in the UK. Last summer, I saw both males and females - so that's good news for future generations. The colony seems to be well established."

Studying the creature is made more demanding by its short airborne lifespan - just two to three weeks in July before it dies. Fortunately its reasonably large wingspan of 14mm makes it easier to spot.

Brian Walker, from the Forestry Commission's North York Moors district, said: "It's another creature to add to the already long list of rarities in our forests. The site is legally protected for its scientific importance and we'll consider doing anything more to help the fly in its struggle for existence. People might ask what's so important about a fly, but it's all part of the rich tapestry of life to be found in the wood."

There are reckoned to be 6,600 fly species in the UK and around 4,000 can be found in Yorkshire. Roy Crossley took up his study of this little researched area in the 1950s, as he explains:

"Not a lot of people do this kind of work, but that has its advantages If you want to study birds, join the queue! The richness and diversity of the nation's flies is remarkable and fascinating."

Updated: 09:39 Wednesday, July 09, 2003