Hi Richard

A good question to which there is probably going to be debate depending on if you are in the northern (Yorkshire and Norfolk) or southern chalk.

The Classic papers on the Winterbourne Stream (Berrie and Wright; Wright et al, 1984) list Limnephilus vittatus and Glyphotaelius pellucidus as restricted to the intermittent sites. They also recorded Limnephilus lunatus, Halesus sp. and Stenophylax sp. at site that became dry.

The taxa that I have recorded from the temporary sections of limestone streams most commonly are: Stenophylax permistus, S. vibex (less common and only where there are trees), Micropterna sequax, M. lateralis and Limnephilus centralis (the latter in springs in the Peak District).

There is some other material in papers published by Andy House and Patrick Armitage. But I will have to dig them out for you.

Paul

Hi Paul,

Excellent - thanks! All the taxa you mention make perfect sense to me, though I'm slightly bothered that Glyphotaelius pellucidus may be more adapted to the presence of coarse organic matter in such environments than the ephemerality per se. But, as you know, I'm happy to be proved wrong!

Certainly, I've often come across small instar Micropterna and Stenophylax as early colonisers in re-filling streams. L. centralis is a new one for me.

To be continued...

All best,

Richard

Hi Richard,, Paul,

Been a long time since I did the work on the River Bourne north of Salisbury. I think Andy House has done more work since but I will look out the data asap. Andy's data may be much more recent and the taxonomy better.All best. Terry.

Hi Terry,

I had a look at Andy's publication in British Wildlife (October 2009) as directed by Paul. Some of the key species were Limnephilus vittatus, L. bipunctatus & L. centralis.

Cheers,

Richard