Conservation status:

• endangered UK status confirmed
• restricted to just 12 localities in north-east Scotland
• few of these localities are protected
• breeds in wet decay under the bark of recently fallen trees and branches of aspen, Populus tremula
• this breeding site is temporary and disappears in 1-3 years as the fallen aspen tree or branch ages, so regular input is required to ensure survival
• the amount of fallen aspen wood entering the system has decreased since the 1990s which threatens survival
• fallen aspen is the breeding site of 15 other red-listed Diptera, making it one of the richest saproxylic Diptera communities in the UK.
  

Hammerschmidtia ferruginea

Actions being taken to ensure the survival of Hammerschmidtia ferruginea:

• working in partnership with owners of core aspen localities
• annual monitoring of the quality and quantity of fallen aspen at all core localities
• encouraging recovery of aspen woods by fencing and removal of rabbits
• covering selected pieces of fallen wood with wire netting to prevent grazing animals eating the bark
• where this does not threaten existing aspen woodland and there is a clear need, cutting down selected trees to increase the amount of breeding resource.

Some 2003 results:

• between 2000 and 2003, the amount of fallen wood entering the system has reduced by 41%
• a gap in continuity of fallen wood with wet decay is predicted from 2005 onwards
• new growth of aspen is recorded in stands that have been protected by fencing
• within 12 months, cut trees were used for breeding by Hammerschmidtia ferruginea
• cut trees need protection from drying out and means to achieve this are being tested.

Larva of Hammerschmidtia ferruginea.

Key reference:

Rotheray, G.E. and MacGowan, I. 2000. Status and breeding sites of three presumed endangered Scottish saproxylic syrphids (Diptera, Syrphidae). Journal of Insect Conservation 4, 215-223.